Milos Raonic to join Team World as an Alternate in Vancouver

Canada’s all-time highest ranked player Milos Raonic will return to the Laver Cup in Vancouver for Team World’s home ground defense of the title at Rogers Arena from September 22-24, 2023.

Raonic reached a career-high No.3 in the world rankings in 2016, the year he famously defeated Roger Federer in an epic five-set semifinal at The All England Club, falling to Andy Murray in the championship match.

The first Canadian to break into the Top 10 in 2013, Raonic is a 10-time Grand Slam quarterfinalist and a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist. He first competed on John McEnroe’s Team World at Geneva in 2019 and played a gripping final day singles match against Team Europe’s Alexander Zverev.

Raonic is an alternate player for Team World in Vancouver and will take part in all Team World activities and appearances. Team World’s full 2023 roster includes (8) Taylor Fritz, (11) Frances Tiafoe, (13) Tommy Paul, (14) Felix Auger-Aliassime, (19) Ben Shelton,
(21) Francisco Cerundolo and alternates Christopher Eubanks and Raonic.

“I’m excited to be selected as part of Team World again,” said Raonic.

I look forward to doing anything I can to help Team World win and repeat their Impressive feat like last year. It will also be very special for me to be in Vancouver again after so many years.

“The Canadian fans are amazing and being there with Team World will be an incredible experience and moment for me.”

Raonic, 32, was side-lined from the Tour with injuries for two years and returned to the circuit in June 2023 at ‘s-Hertogenbosch where he reached the second round and later pushed Team World’s Tommy Paul to four sets in the second round at Wimbledon.

As a wildcard at the recent ATP Masters 1000 in Toronto, he defeated World No.10 Frances Tiafoe en route to the third round. Famous for his booming serve and nicknamed ‘missile’, Raonic has fired more than 8,000 aces since turning pro in 2008, and has served as an inspiration to younger countrymen, Felix Auger-Aliassime, who he will join in Vancouver, and Laver Cup alum Denis Shapovalov.

Raonic was the first 1990s-born player to win an ATP title, claiming his first in San Jose in 2011. He has won eight ATP titles – and been a finalist at four ATP Masters 1000 events, all on hard courts.