Aussie favorite John Millman reveals he’ll play his last skilled tournaments throughout the upcoming Australian summer season.
Australia, 9 November 2023 | Leigh Rogers
John Millman will finish his skilled taking part in profession at Australian Open 2024.
The 34-year-old introduced his resolution immediately, declaring “sadly age has caught as much as me”.
“The physique’s actually damaged down. It’s been a implausible profession, however I’m able to strive one thing else,” Millman advised Channel 9 in Brisbane.
Millman will characterize Australia on the United Cup this summer season, earlier than ending his profession on the Australian Open.
“For me in the way in which I play, I’ve to essentially be on the market taking part in 11 months a yr and I’m simply not ready to take action,” conceded Millman, who contested solely 10 tour-level matches in 2023.
“I can nonetheless play at a excessive degree I really feel, however not day-in, day-out. The physique’s not letting me. All these years of being bodily on courtroom has caught up with me.”
The Brisbane-based athlete, who plans to review at college subsequent yr, hopes to be remembered as “somebody who simply had a crack”.
“I come from humble beginnings, a hard-working household … and I wasn’t some superb junior, ” Millman mentioned.
“However I labored at it and I had a purpose. I did every thing attainable to squeeze that lemon dry and hopefully folks can see that I acquired every thing out of my recreation.”
Millman achieved a career-high singles rating of world No.33 in 2018, shortly after gorgeous then world No.2 Roger Federer to achieve the US Open quarterfinals.
That was Millman’s finest Grand Slam end result throughout 30 main appearances.
“I’m completely happy to have been in a position to dwell out a dream of mine, which was to play skilled tennis. It’s been an absolute thrill,” Millman mentioned. “I’ve had some actually particular moments on courtroom.”
He listed representing Australia on the Olympic Video games and within the Davis Cup competitors as his proudest achievements.
Millman is decided to contest one final Australian Open, in order that he can compete in entrance of his household, particularly his dad and mom Ron and Shona, one final time.
“That’s the explanation why I’m on courtroom plodding away and taking part in via the ache,” Millman mentioned. “To hopefully get a few matches over the summer season for them to cheer me on and hopefully make them proud.”
Though he’s at present ranked No.436, Millman can use a protected rating of No.217 to enter Australian Open qualifying.
“I nonetheless really feel as if my degree is top-100 tennis,” Millman mentioned. “It’s simply week-in, week-out, I wasn’t ready to try this with my physique.
“(However) I’ve acquired an incredible crew that will likely be doing every thing attainable to have me peaking come mid-January and we’ll see the way it goes.”
Discover your option to play: Go to play.tennis.com.au to get out on courtroom and have some enjoyable!