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Day 6

The McEnroe Effect: How Milos Raonic turned his game around

Canadian Milos Raonic is through to the finals at Wimbledon, and his secret weapon is a new coach who just happens to be one of the best grass court players of all-time. With the help of John McEnroe, many observers say Raonic has taken his game to a new level. Tennis pro Michael Emmett breaks down what's new about Raonic's game and how far he might go.
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Canada's Milos Raonic is watched by Former US tennis player John McEnroe during a practice session at the ATP tournament in London on June 13, 2016. (AFP/Getty Images)
Day 66:23The McEnroe Effect: How Milos Raonic turned his game around

Milos Raonic has arrived.

The big-serving Thornhill, Ontario native made history on Friday by defeating Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals, becoming the first Canadian men's singles player to reach a Grand Slam Final.

But he didn't do it alone.

In the lead-up to Wimbledon, Raonic enlisted the help of another former Wimbledon champ: the one and only John McEnroe.

And the new partnership is already getting results.

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 06: Milos Raonic of Canada plays a forehand during the Men's Singles Quarter Finals match against Sam Querrey of The United States on day nine of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 6, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Shaun Botterill/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

Last month, Raonic reached the final of the Queen's Club Championship, losing to world number two-ranked Andy Murray in a tight three-setter.

And this week, he gave the performance of his life, knocking off seven-time Wimbledon champ Roger Federer.

So how much of that can be attributed to the new coach?

Tennis pro and analyst Michael Emmett says, a lot.

"He's just looked way more comfortable. He looks confident. He looks like he has so much more poise on the court," Emmett told guest host Gill Deacon. "Now he looks like a guy who can actually do really good things. And I think John McEnroe has a lot to with that."

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 19: Milos Raonic of Canada (L) sits with his coach John McEnroe (R) during a practice session ahead of his final match against Andy Murray of Great Britan during day seven of the Aegon Championships at the Queens Club on June 19, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) (Getty Images)

The mind game

Much of McEnroe's contribution, says Emmett, is psychological, rather than technical.

"He's told Milos, 'In matches you're disappearing. You look like you're wandering. You don't look like you're focused.'"

It looks like that might be starting to change for the 25-year-old.

He will certainly have his work cut out for him when he faces hometown favourite Andy Murray on Sunday, but Emmett says this might just be the beginning of a beautiful relationship between Raonic and McEnroe.

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