Again from the brink with a bang.

On Monday, Milos Raonic defeated Miomir Kecmanovic in his first aggressive match for nearly two years on the Libema Open in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. It was an emotional second for the previous World No. 3, who later admitted he had all however given up hope on competing once more after a string of accidents that started with an achilles drawback in July 2021.

“Many occasions I didn’t even need to trouble attempting, as a result of I used to be so far-off from it,” stated Raonic in his post-match press convention. “There have been moments after I stated, ‘I’m finished’. On the finish of 2021, I had no intention to play once more, [I thought] ‘I’m going to determine my life’, shortly after I received married.

“One factor I did study, which is a pleasant lesson, is life shall be OK after tennis, which is sort of a worry since you put a lot time into one factor and a singular talent. You don’t ever put the time into it considering you need to dedicate your entire life to it… It simply turns into your life. Then attempting to determine what you need to dedicate your life to after tennis, that’s sort of a tough factor… I received on OK with that.

“As soon as I began feeling a bit of bit higher, I needed to play tennis simply to remain in form. I began enjoying golf 5 hours a day. It actually was not for me. I nonetheless get pleasure from it and I adore it, however I’m not superb at not being good at one thing, and accepting that, so I’m glad to be on court docket once more.”

That definitely gave the impression to be the case on Monday, when the 32-year-old Raonic dispatched fifth seed Kecmanovic to succeed in the second spherical on debut in ‘s-Hertogenbosch. Regardless of his apparently calm manner all through the match, the Canadian admitted to being something however on the within.

“It was very nerve-racking at occasions,” stated Raonic of his win. “I’ve performed after accidents many occasions, after I‘ve missed three or 4 months, even I feel after six months after I had my hip surgical procedure after I was a lot youthful, however two years is a complete totally different factor.

“Two years is much more turmoil in that sense, and simply actually stepping away from tennis on the finish of 2021, and not likely selecting up a racquet for just about a full yr, with out hitting a single ball. To need to come again took rather a lot, and to need to benefit from it.

“I didn’t simply need to come again and to be a participant that I wouldn’t be happy with, so it took lots of vitality for me to place in. I’m glad I received to right here and am very grateful that I can play.”

What a comeback 🫶

After two years away from the tour @milosraonic claims victory 👏@LibemaOpen | #LibemaOpen pic.twitter.com/VJb0H4sSn9

— ATP Tour (@atptour) June 12, 2023

Raonic’s triumph towards Kecmanovic was his fiftieth tour-level win on grass, a floor the Canadian’s big-serving, aggressive recreation has at all times suited. Attributable to continued uncertainty surrounding his health, the 32-year-old shouldn’t be positive how lengthy his comeback will final however stated his resolution to return on grass was fuelled by a few short-term objectives.

“It was very intentional [to come back on grass]. Wimbledon means probably the most to me, and I haven’t performed it since 2019,” stated Raonic, who reached the ultimate at SW19 in 2016. “I’ll play it yet one more time. I don’t know what’s going to occur after that, however I’ll play it yet one more time. It’s additionally Toronto this yr. I grew up 10 minutes from the stadium, that’s one other one which’s necessary to me. I like the concept that I’ll play these no less than yet one more time.”

The story of eight-time ATP Tour titlist Raonic’s long-term absence from the Tour is one in every of continued misfortune. Even now he has returned to motion, the Canadian faces a continuing battle to handle his physique and put together it for the rigours of Tour.

“The factor that flares up is the achilles,” defined Raonic. “In July 2021 I discovered I had swelling in my achilles, and when the swelling went away, I learnt I had tears in my achilles. I didn’t need to have surgical procedure. It will have healed me faster, however I didn’t understand how I’d prove after that, so I needed to go the longer approach of coping with via relaxation and rehab. It wasn’t a rupture, simply 4 or 5 small tears.

“As soon as that began feeling higher, I simply had a stint of unhealthy luck. I broke my toe two days after my marriage ceremony. I went to try to do some rehab workouts, a weight fell on my foot and unexpectedly I can’t put on footwear for 2 months… Then I tore a calf, then I received COVID for the primary time. Every of these items, I might have handled if I used to be within the momentum of enjoying and one thing to hurry again for… However with how all the pieces went, I made a decision to be a bit of bit conservative with every step.”

His experiences make Raonic reluctant to decide to any long-term objectives on his return to Tour, however he’s prepared to place within the arduous yards if it permits him to precise himself the best way he desires to on court docket.

“I’ve to be fast, and I’ve to have the ability to be aggressive,” stated Raonic. “If I can’t do these issues, I can’t play tennis the best way I feel is greatest for me and might’t obtain the issues I need to obtain. These sorts of issues require a sure stage of bodily preparedness. Now I can do it, however I don’t understand how it is going to be in two days, I don’t understand how it is going to be in two weeks.

“Every little thing is one after the other, however I do know that even when I’ve a bunch of ache come my subsequent match, I’ll step on court docket yet one more time to play Wimbledon and I’ll step on court docket yet one more time to play Toronto… Someone must inform me that I’m risking much more than simply an athletic future for me to not play these two occasions yet one more time.”