Raonic's success helping tennis grow locally

The recent success of a Canadian tennis star is doing wonders for the game locally.

Milos Raonic will face Scotland’s Andy Murray in this year’s Wimbledon finals Sunday morning. In making it to the finals, Raonic has made history as the first Canadian man to make it to the finals of a Grand Slam tournament in singles play.

Raonic’s recent success has had a positive effect on tennis locally according to Quin Pon, the director of tennis at the Lakeshore Tennis Club in Regina.

“As he’s (Raonic) seen more success more younger kids and their families, start(ed) to get more involved in the tennis community … because now they have someone to look up to.”

Pon said Raonic is an important role model because in the past there has not been anyone from Canada competing at such a high level and having success. He added this success has helped the tennis club grow in members over the last few years.

“We’re probably up 150 members from two years ago.”

Pon explained the club has especially seen the sport grow in popularity with young people.

“(We’ve) got 20-25 kids in the high performance program … and our club lessons which are just beginners we have over 100 hundred kids enrolled in camps throughout the summer.”

Pon said there are also talented young Canadian players rising up through the international ranks.

“This year we have three or four juniors ranked in the top 10 internationally … and last year our boys won junior Davis Cup.”

If you want to watch the Wimbledon finals Sunday, it can be viewed at 6 a.m. on TSN.