Tennis fans eagerly awaiting Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard’s returns to the court will not have to wait much longer, although it will not be to the court they hoped. The Canadian number ones, who both withdrew from events this month, will be participating in the NBA Celebrity All-Star game, taking place in Toronto, Ontario, Canada this weekend.

Raonic’s Dream Comes True

For years, Milos Raonic apparently has been pestering the NBA, asking to play in the Celebrity Game on the All-Star weekend. Luckily for the big-serving Canadian from Thornhill, Ontario, a suburb north of Toronto, the game finally came to him.

Milos Raonic and the Toronto Raptor at a game in 2012. Photo: Getty Images
Milos Raonic and the Toronto Raptor at a game in 2012. Photo: Getty Images

An excited Raonic explained "I've been asking if there is any way I can play in the NBA celebrity game for three or four years now. It just worked out that it came in Toronto and I was like, 'I've got to be a part of this.'”

The world number eleven is currently recovering from an adductor injury in his right leg suffered during his semifinal loss to Andy Murray at the Australian Open. Raonic, who withdrew from his next event in Delray Beach, has yet to return to the practice court, let alone competitive play.

Bouchard’s Break From Her Break

Eugenie Bouchard will also be participating in the celebrity game. The Canadian number one had a hot start to the season, reaching the quarterfinals of her first event in Shenzhen and the final in Hobart’s, before losing to eventual semifinalist Agnieszka Radwanska in the second round of the Australian Open.

Eugenie Bouchard tosses a mini-basketball during a Raptors game. Photo: QMI
Eugenie Bouchard tosses a mini-basketball during a Raptors game. Photo: QMI

Bouchard recently withdrew from next week’s Rio Open, citing the need for more practice. Not one to pass up the big stage and have a little fun, the former world number five will join Raonic on the court in Toronto to make sure that Canadian tennis is well represented.

Recoveries on Pause

The participation of both players seems a little odd since they both have withdrawn from tennis events recently, and are opting to play a basketball game. Especially for Raonic considering he is injured and currently is not even practicing with that injury. However, it is good for Canadian tennis to have its two biggest stars making an appearance in such a popular event. And it is only a fun, exhibition game anyway.

Raonic is scheduled to return to the tour in two weeks in Acapulco, while Bouchard will return in Kuala Lumpur at the end of the month.

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About the author
Pete Borkowski
Tennis has always been my obsession. What better way to channel that obsession than writing about it? After 18 months of blogging with Sportsblog.com as the writer of A Fan Obsesseds blog, all the while completing my Bachelors in history and French, I joined VAVEL so that I can better share my love and knowledge of tennis with the world.