In the world of tennis rivalries, the clashes between Roger Federer and now retiring, John Millman have been super exciting to watch. With a head-to-head record of 3-1 in favor of Federer, their encounters have been very gripping and intense, with two of them coming in Grand Slams which have gone the full distance, showcasing the thrilling nature of their rivalry.
Their first encounter came at the Brisbane Open in 2015, where Federer secured victory in a hard-fought battle, overcoming Millman with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. This early chapter set the stage for a series of compelling matchups between the Swiss maestro and the Australian dark horse.
The grass courts of Halle in 2019 witnessed another Federer triumph, as he defeated Millman with a scoreline of 7-6(1), 6-3, further solidifying his dominance in their head-to-head encounters. However, their matchups took an unexpected turn at the US Open in 2018 when Millman delivered a remarkable performance, claiming a 4-set victory in the Round of 16 with a scoreline of 3-6, 7-5, 7-6(7), 7-6(3).
This upset victory showcased Millman’s ability to challenge the tennis elite. But their last meeting at the Australian Open in 2020 captured the imagination of the fans in a topsy-turvy match. In a captivating Round of 32 match, Federer emerged victorious in a marathon five-setter with a score of 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(8). It ended in a super tiebreak with Federer winning 6 straight points from 4-6 down.
Reflecting on their encounters, Federer acknowledged Millman’s prowess, stating, “He punished me every single time. He has a solid game from the baseline. He is a great player…great attitude that he brings on the court, I have so much respect for him.” The dynamics of their matches highlighted the nature of their tennis rivalry and the acclaim that Millman achieved in locking horns with the very best.
John Millman announces retirement ahead of 10th Australian Open campaign
Fan favorite and Roger Federer conqueror, John Millman, has sadly announced the concluding chapter of his illustrious tennis career. At 34, he revealed that the upcoming Australian Open in January would mark his 10th AO campaign and his final appearance on the tour. He cited age catching up coupled with persistent injuries that included three shoulder surgeries and a chronic back issue.
In a social media post, Millman stated, “All good things come to an end. After the upcoming Australian Summer I’ll be retiring from professional tennis. I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve had throughout my career. It’s been a thrilling ride living out a dream I had as a kid.”
All good things come to an end.
After the upcoming Australian Summer I’ll be retiring from professional tennis.
I’m incredibly grateful for all the support I’ve had throughout my career.
It’s been a thrilling ride living out a dream I had as a kid. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/BFru6Wjwgn— John Millman (@johnhmillman) November 9, 2023
Millman etched his name in Australian tennis history with a landmark victory over Federer at the 2018 US Open, becoming the first Australian to defeat the Swiss maestro at a Grand Slam since 1999. Despite a career-high ranking of No. 33 in October 2018 and a solitary ATP singles title in Kazakhstan in 2020, Millman expressed gratitude for the support he received throughout his career.
While narrowly missing another triumph over Federer at the 2020 Australian Open, Millman often made a strong statement during Grand Slam tournaments. Reflecting on his decision, Millman stated that his body had “really broken down,” highlighting the toll of the physically demanding sport. He is set to participate in the United Cup before likely receiving a wildcard entry into the 2024 Australian Open.