Raonic said when it comes to playing the sport “it’s alot easier to learn from losing than it is from winning.” PHOTO BY KELLY SNIDER
By Andrew Millichamp and Kelly Snider
Canadian tennis darling Milos Raonic was in Toronto today, getting ready for his exhibition match against former world no. 1 Andy Roddick.
Fellow tennis stars Serena Williams and Agnieszka Radwanska also join Raonic and Roddick for the Sport Chek Face-off, taking place at the ACC Friday night.
Organized by Tennis Canada, the event will also feature celebrities George Stroumboulopoulos, Entourage star Adrian Greiner, Canadian Bachelor Brad Smith and CFL commissioner Mark Cohon.
With this being off-season, Raonic was still happy to see his fellow stars come to Canada to help the sport stay alive in the nation.
“I know it’s off season and a lot of us want to be on a beach somewhere,” Raonic said. “It’s an honour to have them here trying to help grow tennis in Canada.”
To find out more about Raonic’s thoughts on tennis growing in Canada, listen here:
Roddick was excited to get the chance to play the budding Canadian superstar.
“I like his game and I equally like the way he goes about his business in terms of working. It seems like he has the hunger to get better.”
Roddick said it was exciting to see the up and coming prospects in Canada.
Williams was also happy to return to Canada to help raise awareness for the sport.
“I have a lot of history with Canada. The first time I ever played a professional match, I think it was in the 50s, but it was in Canada,” Williams, 33, joked. “Canada has been really kind to me.”
The night will start with a mixed doubles match with Roddick and Williams versus Raonic and Radwanska.
Greiner, Stroumboulopoulos, Smith, and Cohon will then have a doubles match, before 15-time Grand Slam Champion Williams will play world no. four seeded Radwanska in a rematch of the 2012 Wimbledon final.
Raonic versus the recently retired Roddick will end the night.
Roddick said he is still in shape despite his retirement.
Roddick joked during the press conference. “I had a very detailed retirement plan for after the U.S. Open.”
To find out more about Roddick’s retirement plan, listen here:
Good morning everyone! Who is ready for some big tennis in Toronto tonight, with @andyroddick @serenawilliams and Aga Radwanska!
— Milos Raonic (@milosraonic) November 16, 2012
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