John Millman has confirmed that the upcoming Australian summer series at the start of next year will be the last one he plays before retiring from the sport.
The 34-year-old has decided to step away from tennis following a season where he has been hampered by back issues that have seen him drop down the rankings by almost 300 places since January. Millman has only been able to play in five tournaments this year with four of those taking place during the first two months. His most recent event was at the US Open where he lost in the second round of qualifying.
“Unfortunately age has caught up to me. The body is really broken down,” Millman told 9News Queensland on Thursday.
“It’s been a fantastic career, but I’m ready to try something else.”
A former world No.33 player on the Tour, Millman is best remembered for his shock win over Roger Federer at the 2018 US Open en route to his first and only Grand Slam quarter-final. On the ATP Tour, he won one 250 title which was at the 2020 Astana Open. The biggest final he has played in was the 2019 Japan Open (an ATP 500 event) which he lost in straight sets to Novak Djokovic. He has played for Australia in three Davis Cup ties and two Olympic Games.
“I think at the end of every year you kind of assess where you’re at mentally and physically,” he explained about his decision to retire.
“At the end of last year and (after) having quite an encouraging Australian Open summer series, I was ready to go again, but one back injury after another has really halted my progression this season.
“For me, the way I play, I have to be up there playing 11 months a year and I’m just no longer able to do so.
“I can still play at a high level I feel, but not day-in, day-out, the body is not letting me.
“All those years of being physical on the court has caught up with me.”
Before he retires, Millman says he hopes to play in the United Cup and will then try to qualify for the Australian Open. He is currently ranked 436th in the world.
