Raonic dedicates Melbourne win to Canadian shooting victims

Milos Raonic of Canada shows his appreciation to the crowd as he celebrates his third round win over Viktor Troicki of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis championships in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016.AP Photo

MELBOURNE, Australia— Milos Raonic has dedicated his third-round victory at the Australian Open to victims of a shooting in Canada which left four people dead and at least two injured.

A gunman opened fire at the La Loche Community School in a remote aboriginal community in Saskatchewan, and at a second location.

READ: 4 dead, 2 injured after Canada shootings

“Today, before I stepped out on court it was a difficult day back home,” the 25-year-old Canadian tennis star, his voice sounding emotional at times, said after his win over Viktor Troicki on Saturday.

“Unfortunately in Saskatchewan in a very small community there was a shooting at a high school, so I want to take a moment and give thoughts to that community, the family, the students and the school affected. We wish you all the best.”

Raonic did not speak about his match, as is the usual custom in on-court interviews on show courts at the tournament.

“Today’s victory was for that community, and a quick recovery and all of Canada, and I’m sure the world is behind you,” he said.