Step by step, Raonic moving towards ultimate glory

In the wake of the Big Four, Milos Raonic is emerging as perhaps the most legitimate contender to win a Grand Slam title.

From 2010 onwards, only Stan Wawrinka – twice – has managed to release the iron grip that Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray have held on the sport’s major titles. Yet with Wawrinka in his 30s, Raonic represents the most intelligent of the “next generation” and his methodical approach places him in the best position to achieve the greatest success.

Raonic possesses the understanding that he needs to improve his game and has shown a willingness to gather the information necessary – such as introducing new members to his team and working with consultant coaches – to do so. He’s looked at the competition, such as world No.1 Djokovic, and has recognised that like the Serb he must leave no stone unturned in order to be the best he can be.

Raonic is something of a “whole package” as an athlete. His physical gifts and build give him a great serve, power and presence. Tactically, he’s becoming more astute. The mental side of his game, and his ability to deal with pyschological stress, is impressive.

And then there’s his intelligence. Raonic has laid down a long-term strategy, built around the questions: how good can I be? And how am I going to go about achieving that level?

Whereas some players are more short-term in their thinking and decision-making, Raonic is not rushing or panicking. He believes he’s got time up his sleeve to win a major and he’s dedicated to continuing on his path.

This long term strategy consists of phases, with each phase having a central focus. When he came close to beating Roger Federer in the 2015 Brisbane International final, he’d been working on creating a “big game” – using his forehand, using his power and being dominant with those. When he returned 12 months later to beat Federer in the Brisbane final this year, it was his movement that had improved – after once looking in trouble on the stretch, now he appeared more comfortable.

Come Australian Open 2016, where he reached the semifinals, his volleys on the hard courts of Melbourne were adequate without being great. Six months later, on the lawns of Wimbledon and with John McEnroe in his corner, he’d worked hard on transitioning better into net and his volleying was much stronger. He went on to reach his first major final.

Over the past two-and-a-half years, segment by segment, things have improved for him.

I didn’t initially think that Raonic would win a Grand Slam title – I had him pegged as one of the best players to never win one. But after watching him at Wimbledon, if he can stay injury free, he definitely has that ability, especially now that two of the Big Four – Federer and Nadal – are increasingly prone to injury and absences.

Of his generation – also including players like Kei Nishikori and Grigor Dimitrov – and even the younger ones coming up behind them, Raonic looks to me to be the best prepared for ultimate success.

At Wimbledon, he looked more a believer than ever before.