Fans gathered to watch as Canadian Milos Raonic lost his first Grand Slam final

A couple hundred tennis fans got together at a viewing party in downtown Toronto on Sunday to watch Canadian Milos Raonic play in the Wimbledon final.

Raonic, competing in his first Grand Slam, fell in straight sets to British favourite Andy Murray. 

• Raonic loses to Murray in Wimbledon final

The viewing party was held at a restaurant in west Toronto by Tennis Canada, the organization that operates the annual Rogers Cup in Toronto and Montreal.

There were also events in other parts of the Greater Toronto Area, such as in Richmond Hill where Raonic's former coach, Casey Curtis, was one of many cheering on the Canadian.

Barbara Dubec, who said she'd been a tennis player since she was 14 years old, attended the event with friends who also play the sport.

"Any Canadian players, we support all the way," she said.

• ​Canadian fans stand behind Milos Raonic after loss in Wimbledon final

Her friend Diane Galic, who volunteers for Tennis Canada, she was glad to experience the event with other tennis fans.

"It's historic," she said of the match.

The only other Canadian to get this far was Eugenie Bouchard, the women's runner-up at Wimbledon in 2014.

Tennis Canada also has a hand in shaping Canadian players — the organization has helped arrange for high-profile former tour players to coach promising young Canadians, including Raonic and Bouchard.

Members of the organization and fans of the game tuned in to watch the homegrown Raonic play against British favourite Andy Murray, who beat Raonic 6-4, 7-6, 7-6.

• Milos Raonic does Canada proud by defeating Federer

Sharon Mandair said she was conflicted about the game.

"As a British-Canadian, I've always supported Murray," she said. "But now that there's a Canadian and a Briton playing the final, I'd be happy (either way)

"Being here, everyone's on Raonic's side. So that — plus the underdog story — is very compelling," she added.

But when Murray won the day, Mandair said she was happy with the outcome.

"It's a win-win," she said.

While it was Raonic's first Grand Slam final, it was the 11th of 29-year-old Murray's career.

"Maybe next year Raonic will get it," Mandair said.

While it was Raonic's first Grand Slam final, it was the 11th of 29-year-old Murray's career.