Australian fan favorite John Millman, who beat Roger Federer to reach the quarter-finals of the 2018 US Open, has announced the imminent end of his professional tennis career.
Key points:
- Millman says he could no longer fight due to injury
- His victory against Federer at the US Open is considered the highlight of his career.
- He reached a career-high 33rd in 2018.
The 34-year-old revealed on Thursday evening that he would step down after a 10th and final campaign at the Australian Open in January, saying “unfortunately age has caught up with me”.
“Just the three (shoulder) surgeries. But it was a chronic back injury that hurt me,” Millman said.
Millman had earlier confirmed on social media that he would retire after completing his degree from home.
“All good things must come to an end,” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
“After next summer in Australia, I will retire from professional tennis.
“I am incredibly grateful for all the support I have received throughout my career. It has been an exciting adventure living a dream I had as a child.”
Millman overcame all manner of injuries to carve out a special place in the Australian tennis history books with a decisive fourth-round victory over Roger Federer at the 2018 US Open in New York.
He was the first Australian to beat Federer in a major tournament since Pat Rafter at Roland Garros in 1999, when the Swiss was still a teenager.
Millman came close to repeating the feat at the 2020 Australian Open, losing in five sets after leading Federer 8-4 in the deciding super-tiebreak.
He reached a career world No. 33 in October 2018, won his only ATP singles title in Kazakhstan in 2020, and played five Davis Cup matches for Australia, while also wearing the green and gold at two Olympic Games.
In addition to his stirring run at Flushing Meadows five years ago, where it took Novak Djokovic to stop him, Millman twice reached the third round at Melbourne Park and Wimbledon.
Millman will be part of Australia’s United Cup squad for the mixed team event which begins next month.
Although the world number 436 will not benefit from direct entry into the Australian Open, he is almost certain to receive a wildcard for the first major tournament of the season.
PAA
