Here's Why Milos Raonic Is An Indian Wells Threat

It’s no surprise that the ‘Big Four’ of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray hold the four best hard-court records among active players at ATP Masters 1000 events. The quartet has also captured 13 of the past 15 titles at the BNP Paribas Open, which begins this week at Indian Wells. But you might wonder who the fifth player on that list is.

The FedEx ATP Performance Zone shows it is former World No. 3 Milos Raonic. The 28-year-old Canadian, currently ranked No. 14, has won 66.4 per cent of his Masters 1000 matches on hard courts. That ranks 13th overall among all players who have played 20 or more matches at this level. The eight-time ATP Tour champion has performed especially well at Indian Wells.

Raonic has advanced to the semi-finals or better on his past three appearances in the desert. At the year’s first Masters 1000 event he holds a 19-7 record, equating to a 73.1 winning percentage.

Best Hard-Court Masters 1000 Records (Active Players)

“I just have a personal calm at this event maybe compared to others. It's a little bit quieter here. It's easier to be around the tennis. You don't have to fight through traffic to get here. You get here with ease, so I think that gives me a personal calm,” Raonic said at Indian Wells last year. “I think the conditions help. Obviously this year it's quite a bit slower than it has been in the past, but the ball still moves through the air, even though the court slows it down a bit, but it's always bounced high. So I think there have been a lot of things that have contributed to me feeling comfortable here.”

Raonic also owns 14 wins at Miami and Cincinnati, Masters 1000 events that are also played on hard courts. Overall, Raonic has advanced to the quarter-finals or better at hard-court tournaments at this level 17 times. 

The big-serving right-hander has made three Masters 1000 finals: 2013 Canada, 2014 Paris and 2016 Indian Wells. Fittingly, all of those efforts came on hard courts.

'Big Three' & American Legends Lead The Pack Overall
Djokovic and Federer, who have won 83.5 per cent and 80.0 per cent of their Masters 1000 hard-court matches, respectively, are Nos. 1 and 2 in the category for all players, not just those who are active. Two American former No. 1s Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras are right behind.

Agassi, who triumphed at Indian Wells in 2001, won 77.8 per cent of his Masters 1000 hard-court matches, while two-time champion Pete Sampras was victorious 77.2 per cent of the time. Nadal rounds out the Top 5 at 76.4 per cent.

Best Hard-Court Masters 1000 Records (Overall)