For big-serving Raonic, there is room for improvement

CHENNAI: Milos Raonic did not win the ATP newcomer of the year for nothing. The baby-faced assassin who walks with his toes pointed inwards has his eyes firmly set on big things.
With a big forehand and even bigger serve, Raonic, who leapfrogged from 156th spot to 31st in 2011, is surely going to be a player to watch for, not just here in Chennai, but anywhere in the world.
On Wednesday he underlined his towering presence here with an authoritative display against Romanian Victor Hanescu. "It's a good start to the year, really can't ask for much," said Raonic, after storming into the quarterfinals. "I have to start working on my service game but I could do what I wanted against Victor and incorporate things that I was working on," he said.
But with the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer and Andy Murray ruling at the helm during a time considered to be the golden age of men's tennis, the 21-year-old knows he needs to improve a lot to find his way to the top.
"There is a lot for me to improve as a player," he said. "I am focusing on my strengths. But I want to improve in all departments. I want to increase my upper body strength. And increase my speed too," said the Montenegran-born Canadian.
Raonic had scalped some high-profile players like Fernando Verdasco and Radek Stepanek. "I've changed a lot as a player in the last year, not just in terms of ability but also confidence," said the young player who has his feet firmly on the ground.
"There is a long way to go I think I have that ability, I believe I can and I won't be cutting corners," he concluded.