There was a time in the not-too-distant past that anything short of a run to the second week of Wimbledon would have felt like a failure to Milos Raonic.

A semi-finalist in 2014, the Canadian reached the final in 2016, the quarter-finals in ’17 and ‘18 and the fourth round in his most recent appearance in 2019.

But after nearly two years away from the sport following a succession of injuries – most notably to his Achilles – Raonic isn’t sure what would constitute a passing grade at this year’s event. Traditional benchmarks don’t seem to apply.

“I think it’s going to be an emotional thing that I go through. I don’t think it’s possible to have an idea,” Raonic said. “I could win my first match, I could lose my first match and I could walk away in both cases happy or upset. So I’m not exactly too sure [what success would be].

“What I used to measure things last time I was here was quite different than how I would measure things now.”

Last month the 32-year-old won his return match in ‘s-Hertogenbosch against Miomir Kecmanovic, admitting after the match that there were times during the past two years that he thought he would not make it back. He said at the time: “There were moments when I said, ‘I’m done’. At the end of 2021, I had no intention to play again, [I thought] ‘I’m going to figure out my life’, shortly after I got married.”

Despite his return to Wimbledon, this is a far from a full-throated ‘I’m back baby!’ story. After leaving ‘s-Hertogenbosch with shoulder soreness following a second-round defeat to Australian Jordan Thompson, Raonic’s goals remain short-term.

“Right now. I’m coming back to play here,” he said Sunday at Wimbledon. “One more time coming back especially to play Toronto, and I’ve come back for the US Open as well. And then I have to have a conversation with myself.”

Raonic says that he enters Wimbledon happy with his right shoulder, which throughout his career has fired 8,160 aces (ninth best all-time according to Infosys ATP Stats), but he will be mindful of his recent experience at the ATP 250 in The Netherlands.

“I played the first match, everything was kind of feeling okay. It wasn’t so much the prep, but a lot of it was tension and nerves,” he said. “I’ve played a lot of times where I’ve been out for three, four months, even, I think six months, one time. But this time it was two years. And for the first year and two months, I didn’t hit a single ball. So I think those kinds of things take a bit of a toll.

“No matter how much you prepare and practise, some things you can’t really replicate, like the tension of a match and how badly you want to win.”

Raonic, who boasts a 27-9 record at Wimbledon, plays his opening match Tuesday against World No. 159 Dennis Novak.

When Maxime Cressy needs to think positively, his internal discussions are in English. Lately, it’s been a battle to keep French from creeping back into his thoughts.

Before a first-round win this past week in Eastbourne, the French-born American had lost 10 straight matches dating back to the second round of Marseille in February. For a man who writes ‘instill doubt’ on his racquets to reflect the disruptive message he wants to send to opponents, Cressy has been the one second-guessing himself recently.

“Usually my negative side comes out in French. I picked it up from my mom,” said Cressy, who was born in Paris. “Usually I think positively when I’m thinking in English… so I try to stay in the English phase.

“The clay season is where I had the most doubts, and I think it did spill over to the beginning of the grass season. But I’m building my confidence back up. Last week, I played much better and this week could be really great… I believe at any moment. I can have a major breakthrough.”

Despite his recent disappointing record, few players would raise their hands for a chance to play the 6’ 7” serve/volleying powerhouse in the opening round at Wimbledon, where last year he upset Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round. If anyone could turn around a season with a bone-rattling run at The Championships, it’s the 26-year-old, who kicks off his campaign Tuesday against Serb Laslo Djere.

With a booming serve, massive wingspan and effective volleys, Cressy is a suffocating presence for opponents, especially at Wimbledon where pressure is magnified, margins are small and grass suits his attack-at-all-costs approach.

So unsettling is his game that the World No. 55 says that he struggles to find practice partners. “It’s difficult. Few players want to play with me because they’re looking for rhythm and they don’t necessarily get that with me.”

Cressy, whose broader mission in life is to re-introduce the serve-and-volley art to the sport, can be a little quirky. He is known to write notes to himself during changeovers and until recently played with two racquets: one for service games and another for return games. And he would string only those two racquets for matches, even for best-of-five-setters. But he’s bringing a different approach to Wimbledon.

“I started using just one racquet two weeks ago and it’s been much better. I’m now just using my return racquet, the one that is lighter and gives me more control,” he said. “I had been missing a little too much with the serve racquet, which I found a little too powerful.

“I’ll still just get two racquets strung for matches, but they are both return racquets.”

Nick Kyrgios withdrew from Wimbledon on Sunday evening citing a torn ligament in his wrist.

“I’m really sad to say that I have to withdraw from Wimbledon this year. I tried my hardest to be ready after my surgery and to be able to step on the Wimbledon courts again,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. “During my comeback, I experienced some pain in my wrist during the week of Mallorca. As a precaution I had it scanned and it came back showing a torn ligament in my wrist. I tried everything to be able to play and I am disappointed to say that I just didn’t have enough time to manage it before Wimbledon.”

The Australian missed the entire start of the season after undergoing arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in January. Kyrgios made his return last month in Stuttgart, where he lost to Wu Yibing in the first round.

Kyrgios reached his first major final last year at The Championships and has earned some of the biggest wins of his career at the tournament, including an upset of Rafael Nadal en route to the 2014 quarter-finals.

“I’ll be back” Kyrgios wrote. “And as always, I appreciate the support from all my fans.”

Twelves months ago, Brandon Nakashima posted his best result at a major when he advanced to the fourth round at Wimbledon. Ahead of his third appearance at The Championships, the 21-year-old caught up with ATPTour.com to discuss his memories from last year, his favourite Wimbledon traditions and why the grass-court Slam is so special to him.

What is your first memory of watching Wimbledon?
My first memory of watching Wimbledon would be when I was playing a junior tournament, and it was actually during the final, I think it was the 2008 final between Federer and Nadal. I was playing a junior tournament close to home and I remember watching that match on TV and being very excited to be able to watch. It was amazing, an all-time classic.

What are your first memories of playing Wimbledon both as a junior and Tour player and what were your early thoughts about the aura of the venue?
The first time I went to Wimbledon was in the juniors in 2018. It was such a pleasure just to be there to be able to play on those courts. I was just super excited every time I got to go there and play and it was just a such a special experience for a young junior to be around the grounds, see how it is, see all the pro players playing there.

It was really amazing to see it at a young age. It was a little bit different, I would say coming back as a pro in 2021. Just as special, but I was a little bit more used to it. I knew kind of where everything was. But obviously playing in the pros is different, the format and the atmosphere a little bit. It was super exciting. I have nothing but good memories there.

What is the greatest moment you have had at Wimbledon?
My greatest moment would probably be stepping out on Centre Court in the fourth round last year. I didn’t really know what to expect too much and stepping out on such a prestigious court like that, it was a super special feeling. Obviously I was nervous a little bit, but I was super excited and just tried to take it all in. You’re at the biggest stage in professional tennis.

What makes the event so special for you?

I think it’s just the history, all the fans. It’s just such a prestigious place and tournament. It’s from right when you step into the grounds as a fan or as a player, you just feel this sort of atmosphere that you don’t really get anywhere else or any other tournament.

What is your favourite Wimbledon tradition and why?
I would say my favourite tradition would probably be the all-white. I always like it when there’s some sort of dress code in some tournaments. I think the white looks very clean. It’s just special. No other tournament like that, no other dress code like that. I would say that’s my favourite tradition for sure.

What is your favourite thing about playing on grass?
I like the surface a lot. I’d say the season is a little bit short. It takes a little bit time to get used to it but I like it. I would say my favourite part about it is the variety of your game that you have to have to try and play. There is just a bunch of different dimensions to it, like any other surface, but it is different and sometimes you have got to get a little bit out of your comfort zone to do well.

Outside of the main show courts, do you have a favourite court out on the grounds?
Last year I won two matches on Court 12, which is pretty nice. That court was pretty cool. Pretty big stands and a good atmosphere, full stadium. I would say that that court is pretty special to me.

Over the past five years, Cameron Norrie has established himself as a major force on the ATP Tour. The Briton has won five tour-level titles, cracked the Top 10 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings and reached the semi-finals at Wimbledon.

Behind every top athlete is a world class team, and that is no different for Norrie, who works alongside coach Facundo Lugones, physio Julian Romero and strength and conditioning coach Vasek Jursik.

ATP Tour sat down with ‘Team Norrie’ last month to discuss everyone’s role, their team spirit and much more…

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Cameron Norrie

Norrie’s rise to the top has been built on hard work and dedication. Helping him along the way have been Lugones, Romero and Jursik, who have committed their time to ensure the Briton hits his goals. Norrie’s journey on the ATP Tour began in 2017 after he graduated from Texas Christian University and over time, he has forged a team in which he has full confidence.

“When I first turned pro is was just Facu and I,” Norrie told ATP Tour. “Then slowly after that, I got an agent, James, and then at the end of that year, I ended up getting a physio, Julian, and traveling with him a little bit more and getting a bit more knowledge and learning a bit more like that. Then having a fitness trainer just at home at my base, and then suddenly, having a fitness trainer, [Vasek], as well on the road.

“As I progressed, I was able to pay more and invest more in myself. And I was able to build a team together. For me to purely just focus on tennis and having people responsible for different parts of my career.”

The World No. 13, who revealed his team are very competitive, is thankful for the role everyone plays, highlighting the importance of both hard work and good personalities.

“I think without anyone on the team, I think it’s difficult,” Norrie said. “We’re all pushing one another for a goal at the end of the day and we all know what we have to do. It’s so cool travelling the world with people that I get to select and that I get on really well with and that want the best for me and want the best for my tennis and me as a person. It’s really cool and I think we’re constantly bouncing energy off one another.

“You’re spending a lot of time with one another traveling the world and I think them as people is equally as important as them delivering a great session or telling you the right thing. I think the way they say it and how much you trust them and different parts, I think are even more important than actually what is being said or the content.”

Evidenced by his success, Norrie has found the right team dynamic in recent years and will hope they can continue to push on together this fortnight when he seeks a deep run at Wimbledon.

Cameron Norrie” />

Facundo Lugones: Coach

Coach Lugones has been by Norrie’s side since the Briton’s university days. After studying together at Texas Christian University, Norrie left school in 2017 to turn professional and called on the Argentine to coach him.

It has been a fruitful six years for the pair, with Norrie lifting five tour-level titles and rising to a career-high No. 8. Lugones believes their ability to combine a deep friendship with hard work has been key to their success.

“We’ve known each other for more than 10 years now,” Lugones said. “We are able to separate our friendship with our business relationship. We don’t really take things personal when it comes to work. And then off the court, we’re friends. When we need to work, we work really hard. It is about being honest, being able to talk about literally anything, not hiding anything from each other. I think we’ve done a really good job with that and being super supportive of each other when we need to.”

As coach, a fundamental part of Lugones’ job is to watch opponents before matches. The 30-year-old gave insight into how scouting works.

“In a tournament, if Cam plays tomorrow, we have already watched the matches of the other guy and we have talked about those matches and about the guy and then in practice, we’ll talk about his game and what we need to do. And then just before the match, maybe five minutes before the match, we talk more tactics,” Lugones said.

Facundo Lugones” />
While everyone is fully committed to their roles, Norrie, Romero and Jursik revealed Lugones is Mr. Serious when it comes to work. It is a label the Argentine agrees with.

“I think when it comes to work, I think yeah [I am the most serious],” Lugones said. “Julian and Vasek are a little more relaxed and they also talk about fantasy [football] all day. Cameron’s even doing bench press and talking about fantasy. I think they’re all pretty serious, but I would say maybe I’ll have to take that.”

Lugones’ hard-working attitude has helped disciplined Norrie in his drive to the top. The Argentine revealed his highlight working with Norrie was the lefty’s Indian Wells title run in 2021. The team are now hungry for more success.

“I don’t think you need to push Cam a lot,” Lugones said. “He’s highly motivated and he knows what he wants and what it takes. I think it’s a matter of keeping him in line and really clear what he needs to do and how he needs to manage things on and off the court. Keeping everyone really hungry for more, I think that’s something Cam has done really well. He got a lot of good results and a lot of decent achievements, but he always wants more and he’s never satisfied, so it’s just a big plus.”

Julian Romero: Physio

One of Norrie’s best traits on court is his endurance, with the Briton frequently leaning on his fitness to outlast opponents. Physio Romero is one of the key men involved in ensuring the 27-year-old is at full capacity when he competes, with the pair working together on a full-time basis since the US Open in 2018.

“My role in the team is basically to keep Cam fresh and healthy,” Romero said. “We have very long training days and we start usually trying to treat his body, to release his joints and work on the mobility, doing a comprehensive warmup. And after all the training and tennis and the gym, we work on his body usually in the room or in the physio areas in the tournaments with some passive treatments, such as massages and stretches.”

Romero spent time with Norrie during the offseason in 2017. After being asked to join the team on a full-time basis in 2018, he jumped at the chance.

“I really liked the growth mindset of the whole team, not only Cam, who is usually really hungry and willing to learn a lot and to work hard for what his goal is. So that was one of the main things I really liked about joining the team,” the Argentine said.

With the team spending a large period of the year on the road, their need for strong relationships is key. Like Lugones, Romero loves the camaraderie and competitiveness of the group.

“It’s pretty fun to work with Cam and with the whole team. We have developed over the years a very nice relationship with each other,” Romero said. “We’ve been playing a lot of cards, and we are pretty competitive, especially Cam and Vasek. It’s carnage with the cards, but we also do fantasy football with the Premier League, so we watch a lot of football matches together. We go for dinners. It’s fun to be around outside the job.”

Vasek Jursik: Strength & Conditioning Coach

Strength and conditioning coach Vasek Jursik works closely with Romero to ensure Norrie is in peak physical condition when he steps onto court. Since joining the team in 2019, Jursik has helped build the Briton into the player he is today, working with the lefty week in, week out.

“On a tournament day, normally we have a body prep before the practice, which takes about an hour and a half where we do mobility and then core and shoulder prevention. Then he plays his tennis and then we have strength after. That is [the basic structure] but it depends on the day,” Jursik said when describing his role.

Having worked alongside Norrie for four years, Jursik has seen the World No. 13’s relationship with coach Lugones develop. He feels their strong bond has been crucial in Norrie’s rise.

“The relationship between Facu and Cameron I like a lot,” Jursik said. “They’re very close to each other. And I think Cameron trusts Facu a lot and we can see how much Cameron improved through the years. So I think that the relationship works pretty well.”

While the team is competitive, Lugones and Romero revealed that Jursik and Norrie lead the way, with card games a daily occurrence. Jursik was in full agreement.

“Cameron is very competitive so every time we have free time, he just wants to play games,” Jursik said. “We play lots of cards and we play for the coffees as a team. Sometimes when we have a major we pick out the qualifiers and then whoever loses needs to pay for coffees for a week. We’re doing all these kinds of things and everything is for the coffee. I’m the guy who plays a lot with Cameron, especially the cards, and yeah, he’s winning a lot quite a lot.”

However, when it is time to work, the team is always ready.

“I think it’s not easy because we are working so much together, so the work and the relationships go together,” Jursik said. “But I think Cameron knows when he needs to work and when it is the time to have more fun. He knows when he needs to push a bit more. I’ll tell him and then he understands straightaway.”

Photo Credits: ATP Tour

Editor’s note: This story was translated from ATPTour.com/es.

The Mallorca Championships is one of the eight tournaments on the calendar that make up the grass swing. Its director, Toni Nadal, spoke to ATPTour.com about the peculiarities of the surface on which this ATP 250 tournament is played.

What do you need to play well on grass?
On grass the concept of tennis changes completely. While on clay you have to be a solid player with powerful and consistent shots from the baseline, here the court helps you when you have a good serve. When you hit the ball you don’t need so much power, but you have to hit it a little lower to make it hard for the opponent to return and that’s something that’s kind of forgotten in Spanish tennis, playing on grass.

Which players embody that style of tennis?
Roger Federer. Also, Pete Sampras. And for the Spaniards, Feliciano Lopez, although Rafael [Nadal] has obviously had better results. I think Feli’s game was more suited to it in the strict sense of the grass game. 

Speaking of Feliciano Lopez, he is one of the attractions at the Mallorca Championships, where he is ending his career…
We are lucky to have practically the biggest specialist here. It is true that Rafael was too, but Feliciano Lopez I think is the clearest exponent of grass tennis, with a powerful serve, with plenty of spin. He has some flat slice shots, which are very difficult for the opponent to return and he’s also a good volleyer. That’s what you need to play here.

You’ve mentioned your nephew twice. Can you describe the process of making him into a great grass-court player?

Rafael is a player that adapted well to the grass court, and until he had knee problems, I think he was a great grass-court player. He played in the Wimbledon final in 2006 and 2007. He won in 2008. In 2009 he didn’t play, in 2010 he won a second title and in 2011 he was in the final again. That is, he played five consecutive finals at Wimbledon, which demonstrates his level.

Why did he adapt so well, even though it’s not his favourite surface?
Rafael adapted well because, despite not having a big serve, he had very good movement around the court, good mobility, his volley was good enough and his speed allowed him to play very well at Wimbledon. I think if he hadn’t had the knee injury that made it difficult to play on that surface, he would have won there more times. 

You weren’t lucky enough to have a tournament at home like the Mallorca Championships you now direct.

No, unfortunately for us, the grass court was unusual. It was rare to play there. If we’d had this tournament at that time, we would have allowed ourselves to prepare here a certain time in advance, but that’s what there was at that time.That’s why, when I speak to those that run Spanish tennis, I say to them: “You don’t know how lucky you are to have a tournament of these characteristics here, a quality event, on a surface that’s quite unusual for us.” [Manuel] Santana, to prepare for the Wimbledon he won, had to go to Australia. Nowadays you can come here and prepare and play with quality players here in Mallorca.

How important are the Mallorca Championships for the island?
It’s hugely important. Having been able to get all the people together who have come to play this tournament in the last three years is difficult to do. The Mallorca Championships has done that. We’ve had the opportunity to see [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, [Novak] Djokovic, [Daniil] Medvedev and [Dominic] Thiem.

The opportunity the island has had to welcome these players is important for tennis lovers, but it’s also good in terms of communication to have an event of this category, which enhances our island as a sporting destination. I think it’s essential for the island.

What are your views on the 2023 edition?
The tournament is growing every year. I think that both the event and the infrastructure in general is growing, and people notice that. This tournament, although it’s new, after just three years on the Tour — and we know how difficult it is at first to put events of this category on and for them to work immediately — is establishing itself further.

I believe the players are happy to play here and although this year we’ve had problems with injuries to several global players, the lineup is still very good. I know, because I spoke to the players, they are very happy, both with their treatment and everything that comes with playing here.

Finally, are there any active players that have caught your eye on this surface?
Nowadays, tennis is very level, it has become a scientific sport — like almost all the others — in which you know what you have to do at all times, what you need to do to break down your opponent’s game. Evidently, the most special player today is Carlos Alcaraz, and he is the player to beat because of his speed and the intensity of his game.

It’s true that Djokovic is still up there and he’s proving his level. Despite the fact that he is now 36 and despite the fact that he is far from the level he played in 2011 and 2015, he is still the man to beat, having won the Australian Open and Roland Garros.