Raonic: No hard feelings towards Ljubicic

World number 14 Milos Raonic insisted he holds no grudges against former coach Ivan Ljubicic, who has linked up with Roger Federer heading into the 2016 ATP Tour season.

Earlier this month, Federer announced Ljubicic would join his new-look coaching setup after splitting with Stefan Edberg.

It came after Raonic ended his association with the former Croatian player last month.

But Raonic, who does not plan to replace Ljubicic any time soon, has no hard feelings.

“The decision that I wasn’t working with Ivan was before [Federer’s announcement] we had sat down and it felt like the right decision, more coming from his side,” the 24-year-old told Brisbane’s The Courier-Mail.

“It was very smooth and there are no hard feelings about it.

“It’s not a hole I’m panicking about filling, but one I will work towards in the right time and when the situation feels right.

“I have Ricardo [Piatti] and the same physio and same trainer.

“Ricardo has been working with me since the start of 2014 alongside Ivan. He has taken over the whole responsibility, and he’s a thoroughbred coach. It’s been going well.”

Raonic was speaking as he steps up his preparations ahead of the Australian Open, starting with next month’s Brisbane International.

The Canadian, who reached the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park this year, has been hampered by muscle spasms, which forced him to leave the International Professional Tennis League earlier this month.

But Raonic is confident he will be fit and ready for the start of the Brisbane event on January 3.

“In some correlation, it’s linked to the back spasms I’ve had over six months,” he said.

“I’m making the right progress and I look forward to my first matches in Brisbane and being 100 per cent I hope. I feel fit and strong.”