Raonic Withdraws from U.S. Open Citing Nagging Injury

Milos Raonic’s history of withdrawals from the U.S. Open due to injuries underscores the challenges faced by professional athletes in managing physical health. Notably, in 2017, Raonic withdrew from the U.S. Open citing a left wrist injury. (espn.com) In 2019, he also withdrew from the U.S. Open due to a right gluteal strain. (apnews.com) However, there is no record of Raonic withdrawing from the 2024 U.S. Open due to a right shoulder injury. In fact, in January 2024, Raonic returned to the Australian Open using a protected ranking, where he faced Alex de Minaur in the first round. During this match, Raonic retired due to a leg injury. (en.wikipedia.org)

Regarding the impact of hard courts on injury risk, studies have shown that hard-court play increases peak pressures at the knee by up to 20% compared to clay courts. (commonsportsinjuries.com) This heightened stress can lead to overuse injuries in the lower extremities.

In terms of rehabilitation and mental resilience, Raonic has employed a combination of surgical intervention, physiotherapy, and progressive loading to address his injuries. This approach includes early passive range exercises post-surgery, strength and stability work, and gradual reintroduction of sport-specific drills. (commonsportsinjuries.com) Additionally, Raonic has engaged sports psychologists for cognitive strategies and focused on controllable factors like nutrition and hydration to maintain mental resilience during recovery periods.

Overall, Raonic’s experience highlights the complex interplay between high-performance demands and athlete health management, emphasizing the need for precise injury prevention strategies, tailored rehabilitation protocols, and mental resilience frameworks.