Millman’s ready to rise
Aussie determined to plant seeds of success with ATP Cup excellence
AUSTRALIAN workhorse John Millman is hoping to springboard this week’s ATP Cup campaign into a regular Grand Slam seeding.
Millman has been inside the world’s top 50 players since November 2019 and is five spots off his career-high ranking of 33, after winning his maiden ATP title in November. He’s Team Australia’s No. 2 player, behind Alex de Minaur, is the standard-bearer
in practice and will be pivotal if the host nation is to advance from a tough group that includes Spain and Greece.
Australia starts at Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday night as underdog against last year’s runner-up, Spain.
De Minaur has the imposing task of locking horns with 20-times Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal, but Millman will be up first, trying to beat Roberto Bautista Agut for the first time, in their sixth meeting.
“I’m really looking forward to that. It’s going to be a really tough test against Roberto Bautista Agut – he’s one of the best players in the world,” Millman told the Herald Sun.
“Spain and Russia were two of the teams I earmarked as being some of the toughest in the competition and we avoided Russia but we got Spain.
“I love team tennis, I love joining up with some of the boys and I love competing for your country and wearing the colours – I think it’s awesome.”
Millman spent the weekend becoming accustomed to this year’s “lively” conditions at Melbourne Park, after being allowed to train only at Xavier College and Kooyong while his peers were in quarantine.
Barring three late high-profile withdrawals, the 31-yearold will be just outside the Australian Open seedings – something he hopes to change for the season’s remaining Grand Slams.
“The next goal I kind of had was to try and get near that top 30, because I’d love to be seeded at some of these Slams,” Millman said. “It would be really nice to see a number next to your name. That’s the immediate goal, and the other thing for me – now that I have that first title, I’d love to, perhaps, win some more.
“It was a massive thrill for me and I’ve wanted to win an ATP Tour title for the last couple of years, because you see plenty of really good players who haven’t managed to break through and win one.”
Millman’s best Australian Open result is twice making the round-of-32, including last year.