Millman primed after big pay day
TENNIS: Brisbane’s cashedup former battler John Millman believes his teak-tough finish to the season proves he is capable of a personal-best ranking next year.
After missing the first five months of the season due to abdominal surgery, Millman typically fought it out to the end of his schedule, improving his ranking from No.190 to No.128 over the course of his last five events, all Asian Challengers.
It also earned the 28-year-old a main-draw wildcard into the Brisbane International, which starts on Sunday week.
Millman (pictured) will use his third-last protected tour ranking entry of No.81 to make the main draw for the Australian Open.
“I have proved I am an ATP player and I am hoping I can push into the top 50 for the first time. I’ve been No.60 before (May 2016),” Millman said after training at the Queensland Tennis Centre yesterday.
“That Challenger title in Vietnam, it was a $150,000 tournament so that’s my biggest. It was really sweet.
“I’m pleased I can start the year healthy and with five months of no ranking points to defend. It’s been a productive pre-season and my body has come through it well.”
Millman has earned more than $800,000 in prizemoney in the past two years and said his increased income in that time meant he did not have to budget in his tennis planning the way he once had to.
“It also allows me to invest in my tennis little. When you can’t pay those bills you have to make cutbacks on your tennis,” he said.
“Previously I wasn’t making that sort of money. It shows me how much the top guys can get a headstart over the rest of the players.”