Milos Raonic climbs to 34 in the ATP world rankings—but it only gets harder from here

Thornhill native and Canada’s number-one son (when it comes to tennis) Milos Raonic jumped another three spots in the ATP world rankings this week, moving from number 37 up to number 34 with a solid showing at the BNP Paribas Masters in Indian Wells, California. The 20-year-old tennis sensation has been a giant killer so far this year, but after battling through back spasms to beat American Mardy Fish, one of the top 20 players in the world, Raonic fell to fellow wild card Ryan Harrison of the U.S. in third-round action.

Though Raonic’s rise this year has been nothing short of meteoric, now he’ll have to show his mettle as he attempts to battle his way into tennis’s upper echelon. To crack the top 25 he’ll have to take his play to the next level. He’ll need consistent victories at the highest level and he’ll have to win more and more, despite making smaller gains in the tour rankings. Many of the world’s best players believe he has the talent, ethos and attitude to do it. It’s just a matter a waiting and watching to see when—not if—Raonic will take the next step.

• Canadian rising star Raonic ousted in third round at Indian Wells [The Canadian Press]