"I didn’t get to hit a single tennis ball for a full year": Raonic emotional on winning return at Libema Open

Milos Raonic made his long-awaited comeback at the Libema Open on Monday beating Miomir Kecmanovic in two sets to book the second round of the event.

Raonic hasn't played for two years due to various injuries but he made a good comeback on the surface where he was quite a dominant force in the past. Raonic was once a really good player but he suffered a similar fate to many players. Unfortunately, injuries prevented him from playing but he admitted after the match that it was nice to be back:

“It’s nice to be here after almost two years now and stepping away for a long time. It’s nice to be giving it one more try and hopefully going as far as I can. I’ve put in the best effort I could, and I want to see how far it takes me.

It's been a really nice experience playing a competitive match against and winning just adds to that. He admitted there were some nerves present:

“It’s been a real pleasure to get to play in front of people. I didn’t get to hit a single tennis ball for a full year, now I get to play in front of a bunch of people. It was pretty nerve-wracking, I forgot that feeling. To be honest with you it might have been a little bit easier if I played in front of nobody today.”

Raonic has not particular future plans regarding playing as he is focusing on taking it day by day:

“[I’m taking it] day by day. It’s been a little heartbreaking a lot of the time when I couldn’t do anything and it’s nice for me to be here one more time. I get the chance to be on court, I get the chance to play, I get the chance to compete, to put in the work, and I get a chance to see how far it takes me, so I’m thankful.”