Is Milos Raonic the New, Best server?

[JimF]

Watched Raonic drub Malisse yesterday and, after that and his coming-out-party at the Aussie, I think he may be the latest, "best server in tennis."

He doesn't just hit 140 MPH bombs -- routinely, 143 out wide -- he hits every serve well, a ridiculous twist, good slice, plus (unlike the other big servers) I find Raonic fun to watch, charges the net, full court game.

Took some pics here (can't figure out how to embed one with this editor):
http://www.fawcette.net/2011/02/is-milos-raonic-the-new-best-server-in-tennis.html

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

give me a ticket for the raonic bandwagon... i'm in !

 

[CDestroyer]

Hes already beating top 20 players.:twisted evil:

 

[Pozarevacka]

I think he has a great serve, but I don't think its the best serve yet. What I like the most of him is his net play. I think he's the best at it since Pete. No one else has that style anymore, and I like how this kid attacks it.

 

[CDestroyer]

Testing my emoticons:Twisted Evil:

 

[JimF]

Ranoic at Net

I think he has a great serve, but I don't think its the best serve yet. What I like the most of him is his net play. I think he's the best at it since Pete. No one else has that style anymore, and I like how this kid attacks it.

Agreed. Makes Raonic fun to watch instead of yet another baseline grinder.

Never seen him serve-and-volley, though. But he rushes the net on balls in no-man's land. Pretty fearless. Good hands up there, too.

Saw, YouTube vid of him with another 20-something-Canadian beating Nadal and Djokovic in doubles at Toronto.

 

[SoCal10s]

one game he had 3 aces .. in his last match.. kiss Blake adios for the next round..

 

[PCXL-Fan]

This kid already has what takes some players years and many victories to accomplish. The ability to control his nerves. Early on in their careers Djokovic and Murray didn't have that ability, in big moments Djokovic became "chokovic" and Murray is still losing matches because of mentality.

He has the mentality seen in many champions. Not saying he'll ever win a grandslam, just pointing out another great strength of his.

 

[Semi-Pro]

Agreed. Makes Raonic fun to watch instead of yet another baseline grinder.

Never seen him serve-and-volley, though. But he rushes the net on balls in no-man's land. Pretty fearless. Good hands up there, too.

Saw, YouTube vid of him with another 20-something-Canadian beating Nadal and Djokovic in doubles at Toronto.

He S&V for a good set and a half during the Ferrer match at the AO. Looks to have decent volleys from what I saw...

 

[accidental]

I saw his match against Youzhny at the Aus Open, he looks like a very good athlete for his size. Really strong legs like Boris Becker, has a pretty quick first step, hits some really nice shots on the run

 

[yemenmocha]

He has good court sense AT NET, which almost nobody has in the pros today, especially people like Roddick who should be much better at net.

 

[Bud]

He has good court sense AT NET, which almost nobody has in the pros today, especially people like Roddick who should be much better at net.

He's willing to mix it up as well. He transitions to net when the opportunity arises... and also throws in a serve & volley now and then.

Definitely top 10 material, IMO.

 

[Manus Domini]

Raonic is second fav of the up and comers, behind Harrison (Because of American pride) and barely above Dolgo (but I consider him a late bloomer, so...)

Why? He is FUN TO WATCH. His serve is a thing of beauty. He not only disguises it extremely well, but he can hit it however, and wherever, he wants at speeds enough to make the other pros go lie "wtf was that? I though only TT posters could hit 120 mph kick serves!"

And he plays an all-court game, like both Dolgo and Harrison. Like both, I think nerves are his issue, not skill. He doesn't fear staying back or rushing forward, he has good sense at net. Etc.

 

[The Baseline]

is that the kblade 98 or the tour?

 

[JustBob]

Saw him practice getting coaching tips from Daniel Nestor last summer. Good way to improve your net game.

 

[get it in]

The new best server? Perhaps someday soon. I was watching some clips from Tokyo and the SAP in San Jose. He's got all the serves at his disposal with pretty good disguise too. His flat serves can top out at 145 which is big, though he doesn't consistently serve that high (fortunately for the other guys). The way he aced Nadal (a good returner, by the way) with slices out wide was inspiring. Of course, Nadal is a lefty so he's got a disadvantage there.
To get to the top 10, he has to perform well consistently so I think this will be his internship. Remember, he hasn't played many main draw events at the 250/500 level so he hasn't played as many top 20 opponents. Once that experience is under his belt, and he gets used to playing top opponents who return exceedingly well (see Murray, Federer, etc.) then you start to see lots of highlight reels of this guy. He certainly has all the physical traits you like to see in a top player. It's a matter of when he gets the mental side of it at the highest levels (consistency, toughness, etc.) like at the 1000 series/grand slams. Also, you like to see that the money doesn't get to his head. He's got to stay hungry if you know what I mean.

 

[glazkovss]

I guess he is leading in aces hit department this year, so by that measure you can surely call him the best server, following in the footsteps of Ivanisevic and Karlovic.

 

[JimF]

Raonic's Tie Break Focus

This kid already has what takes some players years and many victories to accomplish. The ability to control his nerves. Early on in their careers Djokovic and Murray didn't have that ability, in big moments Djokovic became "chokovic" and Murray is still losing matches because of mentality.

He has the mentality seen in many champions. Not saying he'll ever win a grandslam, just pointing out another great strength of his.

Absolutely! Yesterday, when Raonic won the SAP title, he was down two mini-breaks in the first tie break and instead of folding, fought off perhaps 4 set points to win.

Verdasco was playing great, blasting forehands, won more points, held the only break point in the match, yet Raonic won the biggest points.

Not that speed is remotely everything, but Raonic hit 149 MPH in two matches, and 151 MPH (with used balls) in a fast-serve-contest he won over Ivo Karlovic. Granted, this was a fast indoor court.

Some pics of possible interest:
Milos Raonic: Newest hot shot
http://www.fawcette.net/2011/02/milos-raonics-tennis-strokes-from-sap.html

Collection of players:
http://www.fawcette.net/2011/02/atp-tennis-photos-from-sap-open-2011.html