Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori make winning returns after extended absence

<p>Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori are looking to fight their way back into grand slam contention.</p>

<p>Raonic - a former world number three - has been plagued by a series of injuries that have seen him out of the sport for two years. The injury spell included a calf tear and spell with Covid, which led to an entire 12-month period when he didn't even touch a tennis racket.</p>

<p>But the Canadian is now mended, physically, and has goals to reach the grand slams once again. In an emotional return, Raonic swept aside world number 39 Miomir Kecmanovic 6-3 6-4 in the opening round of the Libema Open in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands. His serve has always been his most potent weapon and Raonic 2.0 is no different, as he fired 15 aces and won 92% of his first serve points.</p>

<p>"It's nice to be here after almost two years now and stepping away for a long time," said the 32-year-old, as per atptour.com.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"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.</p>

<p>"I didn't just want to come back and to be a player that I wouldn't be proud of, so it took a lot of energy for me to put in. I'm happy I got to here and am very grateful that I can play."</p>

<p>It's no coincidence that Raonic made his return on grass. The Yogoslavian-born player has high hopes of returning to the scene of his only grand slam final appearance: the hallowed courts of Wimbledon.</p>

<p>"It was very intentional [to come back on grass]," said the 2016 finalist</p>

<p>"Wimbledon means the most to me, and I haven't played it since 2019. I'll play it one more time. I don't know what will happen after that, but I'll play it one more time. It's also Toronto this year. I grew up 10 minutes from the stadium, that's another one that's important to me. I like the idea that I'll play those at least one more time."</p>

<p>Also making a successful return after 20 months off the court was Nishikori, albeit at an ATP Challenger Tour 75 event in Palmas del Mar, Puerto Rico.</p>

<p>The former world number four eased past American Christian Langmo 6-2 6-4 in the opening round of the Carribean Open, where he was handed a wildcard entry. Nishikori had arthroscopic surgery on his left hip last year, but the Japanese star has been on the sidelines since October 2021.</p>

<p>The article <a href="https://www.planetsport.com/tennis/news/milos-raonic-kei-nishikori-make-winning-returns-after-extended-absence">Milos Raonic and Kei Nishikori make winning returns after extended absence </a> appeared first on Planetsport.com.</p>