Yahoo Sports 
Canadian tennis stars Milos Raonic and Eugenie Bouchard struggling, with the 2016 season just a few weeks away
It was a bad back that sabotaged the second part of Milos Raonic's 2015 season.
And after many weeks off, and just a few sets in the star-studded IPTL exhibition league in Asia under his belt, the 24-year-old has pulled out of the remaining three legs of the competition with his team, the Philippe Mavericks, upon doctor's orders.
“It’s a big blow considering that Milos was probably the MVP of the Manila leg,” Mavericks co-owner Jean- Henri Lhuillier told the Philippine Star. "Milos has been troubled by back spasms and getting therapy. The recommendation is complete rest to be prepared for next year. He would’ve wanted to continue but Milos is out of the IPTL for the rest of the season as his doctors insist on total rest.”
Raonic's final appearance Wednesday, a set against Rafael Nadal of the Micromax Indian Aces, was a dramatic way to go out. The format in IPTL is similar to that of World Team Tennis, where games won are cumulative. Raonic found himself at 5-5 with Nadal, in a tiebreak and in a situation where one final point would determine victory. He won it, and the Mavericks won 25-24.
Raonic also teamed up for a set win in mixed doubles with Serena Williams earlier in the week.
And he pulled off a highlight-reel shot.
Meanwhile, in Florida, Raonic's female counterpart Genie Bouchard posted this cryptic Tweet Wednesday morning:
Sometimes it's 1 step forward 2 steps back 😑 #recovery #process
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) December 9, 2015
The 2016 season is approaching far too quickly. Raonic is due to kick off the proceedings in Brisbane, Australia the week of Jan. 4 while Bouchard is scheduled to return to action for the first time since October at a WTA tournament in Shenzen, China, owned by her agency, IMG.
The Australian Open begins January 18.
