Milos Raonic has split with longtime coach Galo Blanco. The split apparently occurred after the world No. 16 lost a third-set tiebreaker to Fernando Verdasco in Madrid.
“I’m very grateful for everything Galo has done with me and my tennis,” Raonic said in a statement. “He helped me grow as a tennis player and as a person. I wouldn’t be where I am without him. We decided mutually it’s time to move in a different coaching direction and I wish him all the best in the future.”
Former Top 5-player Ivan Ljubicic was in Raonic’s box for the Canadian’s first-round loss to Philip Kohlschreiber this week in Rome. Raonic’s camp says that the interview process for a new coach is ongoing and confirmed that Ljubicic is a candidate.
Canadian tennis journalist Tom Tebbutt had this to say of the split on his blog:
“There has been a sense of stagnation over the past few months and when that happens in any sport, the coach or manager is always on the hot seat. There has been persistent criticism of Raonic’s return of serve and his backhand, but he has lost several matches in 2013 more because he has simply made bad shots in crucial situations…Those are not Blanco’s fault, or errors of basic technique. They are related to confidence and that’s all that really separates Raonic from making another serious move up the rankings. That’s likely the principal reason for him making the change.”