Canberra International: John Millman beats injury to achieve breakout season

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This was published 8 years ago

Canberra International: John Millman beats injury to achieve breakout season

By Jon Tuxworth
Updated

Just over a year ago John Millman was working in a Brisbane finance firm crunching numbers, as his tennis ranking number plummeted south.

Recovering from serious shoulder surgery, the 26-year-old was unsure whether he'd be the same tennis player again, let alone pushing the likes of Roger Federer to the limit.

John Millman in action during this year's Australian Open at Melbourne in January.

John Millman in action during this year's Australian Open at Melbourne in January. Credit: Cameron Spencer

But after a stellar back end of the year the Queenslander is more confident than ever he can compete against the world's best – as long as he can stay on court.

Millman is the top seed for this week's Canberra international starting on Monday, and will get his campaign under way against qualifier Blake Mott on Tuesday.

Kaitlin Staines in action on Sunday at the Canberra International.

Kaitlin Staines in action on Sunday at the Canberra International. Credit: Jamila Toderas

His shoulder now rebuilt after he tore his labrum, Millman has spent the past 15 months rebuilding his career.

Since Wimbledon where he upset top-20 Spaniard Tommy Robredo in the first round, his world ranking has skyrocketed from almost 1200 at one point to 74.

He won two Challenger Tour titles in the US and has spent the past few months playing in some big ATP Tour events.

Millman has his fingers crossed he can avoid the nine-to-five grind from here on in, but it did provide some perspective.

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"It was definitely a change of pace, putting on a suit and going to work," Millman said of his finance fling.

"It's not always guaranteed you come back from a torn labrum. Your shoulder's a pretty vital part of tennis and I literally had to build it up from scratch again.

"I have a massive team who got me back playing, and every time I walk on court I want to do them proud.

"It took my mind off tennis for a little bit and gave me something else to focus on.

"It's not the easiest thing we do, playing tennis, but I've been doing it for so long and I do realise more than ever how lucky I am to do what I do."

Just a few months after his injury return, Millman won the first set against Federer at the Brisbane International in February before the Swiss legend recovered to win.

In a sign of the heightened expectations of himself, Millman was disappointed he didn't finish the job.

"I would have like to have beaten him. I was a bit disappointed I didn't get there in the end but to play a champion like that is always a buzz," he said.

"You can't play someone's reputation and I've always been confident [in my ability]. It's just a matter of staying on court for me.

"I had to start from scratch again with the ranking and I probably exceeded my expectations, getting it down so low.

That's why you work so hard, to give yourself those opportunities to play against the better guys."

Meanwhile, Canberrans endured another unsuccessful day at qualifying on Sunday with four locals all falling short of making the main draw.

Competing in her first professional tournament, 15-year-old Kaitlin Staines was beaten by Anne-Marie Medcalf 6-3, 6-3, while Sarina Kang, Imogen Clews and Ashley Keir were also dismissed in straight sets.

Alison Bai and James Frawley also justified their reputation as favourites by taking out the win-a-wildcard competition in Canberra on Sunday, which gives them entry into next year's Australian open mixed doubles draw.

CANBERRA INTERNATIONAL

Monday order of play at Canberra Tennis Centre, Lyneham (matches start 10am)

Centre court

Finn Tearney (NZ) v Robin Stanek (CZE)

Sebastian Fanselow (GER) v Christopher O'Connell (AUS)

Jacob Grills/Blake Mott v Daniel Hobart/Scott Puodziunas

Not before 3pm: Jakes Eames/Christopher O'Connell v Oliver Anderson/Calum Puttergill

Court five

Steven De Waard/Marc Polmans v Matthew Barton/Bosko Novakovic

Marcos Giron/Nicolas Meister v Brydan Klein/Dane Propoggia

Adam Taylor/Jason Taylor v Maveric Banes/Gavin van Peperzeel

Not before 2.30pm: Matt Reid/Connor Smith v Omar Jasika/Bradley Mousley

Court six

Jennifer Elie (USA) v Aleksa Cveticanin (AUS)

Not before 11pm: N Bains or J Zaviacic v Veronica M. Corning (USA)

Court seven

ITF Women: Destanee Aiava (AUS) v Yuki Kristina Chiang (USA)

ITF Women: Nives Baric (AUS) v J Wacnik or A Bozovic

Not before 2.30pm: Marinko Matosevic/Robin Stanek v Harry Bourchier/James Frawley

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