Back to the Tennis Newsfeed

Raonic Takes Guard Against Grand Slam Grind

MELBOURNE — Canada's Milos Raonic has found a novel way to help alleviate the tension that inevitability surrounds a grand slam tennis tournament, he has taken to wearing a mouth guard.

Reporters spotted the mouthguard the tall 25-year-old, whose languid movement around court obviously belies the nervous tension he is fighting, during his 6-1 6-4 6-4 Australian Open victory over Lucas Pouille on Tuesday.

"Just to not grind my teeth while I play," Raonic said when asked why he was wearing a protective device in a sport not known for its contact between players.

"It just causes stress and headaches sometimes," he added.