Raonic and Nishikori Return This Week

Two major ATP stars and Grand Slam finalists return to action this week after very long hiatuses from the Tour.

32 year old Milos Raonic has been bothered by an achilles heal problem for almost two years but in his first match since losing to Brandon Nakashima in Atlanta 2021 75 36 67, he managed to thwart Miomir Kecmanovic 63 64 in the first round of Libema Open in s’-Hertogenbosch.

Raonic is taking this comeback one match at a time but he hopes to stay healthy and to play Wimbledon and Toronto if he can avoid re-aggravating his achilles or suffer any other new injuries. In the second round of Libema, Raonic will face Australian Jordan Thompson, who he has played once before – a 62 61 win at Miami Open in 2021.

The former world no. 3 Raonic, unranked now in the ATP and competing with a protected ranking, has won eight career ATP singles titles and over $20m in prize money.

Nishikori is playing as a wildcard in the Caribbean Open Puerto Rico Challenger. The 33 year old will play unheralded American journeyman Christian Langmo later today. The former world no. 4 has won 12 career singles titles and over $25m in prize money.

Nishikori has suffered hip and foot problems and has not played since 2021 Indian Wells, a loss to Dan Evans 64 36 46.

In case you are wondering, Nishikori has played Raonic seven times on the ATP Tour and won five of the seven meetings including the last duel in Davis Cup 2015, 36 63 64 26 64.

Kei Nishikori · Milos Raonic

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