Art enthusiast Milos Raonic: ‘It’s kind of been a nice escape’ | ATP Tour

Player Features

Art enthusiast Raonic: ‘It’s kind of been a nice escape’

Canadian discusses McEnroe’s art collection

March 07, 2024

ATP Tour/Getty Images

Milos Raonic is an eight-time ATP Tour titlist.
By Andrew Eichenholz

Milos Raonic is known for his booming serve and numerous on-court achievements, from reaching the 2016 Wimbledon final to climbing as high as No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings. But the Canadian is a multi-dimensional man with several hobbies outside of sport. One of the most intriguing is his interest in art.

In 2014, Raonic purchased his first piece, a Rashid Johnson black wax painting. Now he has “probably 20 to 30 pieces” and art has become an important part of his life.

“I really do cherish it,” Raonic said of his Johnson painting. “I have never been in the business or have any interest in buying and selling art. For me, I just acquire the things I love. Many people see it as an investment. It’s been a great investment for a lot of people and John [McEnroe] is an example of that. But for me, it’s just been the stuff I enjoy and stuff that I know today, and in months and years, and hopefully a long time after that I’ll be able to appreciate it.”

The 33-year-old has been interested in art and studying finance for years. But when he has been off the court due to injury struggles, the time away has allowed him to dig deeper.

“I just probably got a lot more intense and focused on it, because I had time,” Raonic said. “So whether that be from collecting and acquiring more art over the last three years to taking my studies in finance — and taking that part of my life a lot more seriously and just dedicating a lot more time to it when I have a chance — it’s been a lot of fun for me.”