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Milos Raonic's Excellent Hair Adventure

Stephanie Myles
Milos Raonic's Excellent Hair Adventure

Canadian Milos Raonic's impenetrable fortress of a hairdo has become such a topic of conversation, it's surprising it doesn't yet have its own parody Twitter account.

It was the bulk of his press conference after a barely discussion-worthy 6-1, 6-0 dismantling of the Italian Fabio Fognini Friday in Cincinnati. Raonic was happy to get into the nitty-gritty of how his 'do becomes his 'do, and the science behind it.

After experimentation, Raonic has found the secret to making it sweatproof.

"I actually found one brand that ... before the issue would be if you put a lot of product the hair doesn't absorb it at all and it just keeps going down your face. This one allows the hair to absorb it as well. I still sweat across my eyes, just not as much as if I used another product," he said. "My sweat doesn't go down the back. It still comes down the front of my face. I can't redirect that. Nowadays you can make dams, you can make lakes, you can make everything artificial. I cannot artificially direct my hair and my sweat."

Raonic also discussed his early cap-wearing days.

"Yeah, in juniors. I never really won with that look. I don't know (why). If I had that answer I would've made a custom had to irrigate my sweat another way."

There's another very good reason for that: hat head. Thus, the brief bandanna experimentations also fell by the wayside.

(Note: Raonic actually did a few things with the backwards cap as a pro – including qualifying at the Rogers Cup in Montreal as an 18-year-old in 2009 [see the slideshow]. But by 2010, in the qualifying in Toronto, it was no longer working for him).

Here is a historical retrospective of the various Milos Raonic hair looks throughout his career. Because, as you know, this is intelligence crucial to fate of the republic.

 

The new Raonic hair era really began at this year's French Open, when he discussed it with your Busted Racquet correspondent but still hadn't reached his final conclusions. It was, admittedly, early in the process.

That has changed in just a few months. But the savvy Raonic won't divulge his face-protecting sealant – until he can monetize it. "Well, let's get sponsored first," he said.

But how do they know, he was asked.

"I've made enough purchases from them. They should probably check their customer database."

Raonic was, in fact, a North American brand ambassador for Biotherm in 2012. But that deal is long expired; you'd have to think another one won't be long in arriving.

A few weeks ago in Washington, D.C., the subject came up, which make you wonder if ESPN might be planning a Raonic vs. Fernando Verdasco hair-off (skip to 2:17).

So far, the veteran still leads - by a hair. But he's had a longer career.

The Spaniard – and his product – during a first-round loss at Wimbledon in June. Perhaps he was a little too weighed down. (Stephanie Myles/opencourt.ca)
The Spaniard – and his product – during a first-round loss at Wimbledon in June. Perhaps he was a little too weighed down. (Stephanie Myles/opencourt.ca)

 

Here are a few Raonic hair thoughts from the Twittersphere. There are comments all the way back to 2011; generally, a thumbs up.

The main thing is, the man himself has a sense of humor about it.

We shall see Saturday night if the hair strategy pays off against Roger Federer – another player whose hair has been endlessly discussed over the years.