Canadian hot-shot Milos Raonic might be the readiest player among the current crop of young players to win a Grand Slam title. Peter Bodo of ESPN believes Raonic's time for his first Majors moment will arrive as early as January at the 2017 Australian Open.
The 25-year old Raonic is high on Bodo's list of Australian Open contenders. As a matter of fact, the ESPN analyst picked Raonic as the surprised winner in the tournament that will also feature world's no.1 Andy Murray, defending champion Novak Djokovic, returning Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and other up-and-coming players.
Bodo on Raonic's Aussie Open chance:
"Nobody is quite as ready for a Grand Slam breakthrough as this 25-year old Canadian. Now No. 3 in the rankings, Raonic won just one event in 2016 (Brisbane, an ATP 250 tuneup for the Australian Open). But he was a Wimbledon finalist and routinely lifts his game at the majors. Raonic gave Andy Murray all he could handle before bowing in five sets in the 2016 Australian Open semis."
"Unlike some of the other players on the "best to never win a Slam" list, Raonic isn't an older habitual also-ran, like a Tomas Berdych or Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, nor subject to shrinking away from big opportunities, like a Kei Nishikori. Raonic has had bad luck with injuries and tough draws, and he's lost some very close key matches against the top players. After losing the Wimbledon final to Murray he said, "This one's going to sting." He is primed."
Over the last couple of years, Raonic transformed from a one-dimensional hard-hitter to a more polished netter. His epic five-set semi-final duel with Murray at Australian Open 2016 and semis victory over Federer at Wimbledon highlights an impressive year.
Bodo thinks Raonic has the make-up of a Grand Slam champion and he will not shy away when the opportunity arrives. Raonic will kick off his 2017 campaign at the Brisbane International, where he is the defending champion.
