Editor's note: This story was published before John Millman defeated Roger Federer to reach the 2018 US Open quarterfinals.
Housed in the depths of Arthur Ashe Stadium, Interview Room 1 is often reserved for the biggest names in the tennis game, with players like Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal taking a seat behind the interview desk.
On Saturday, a new guest took to the interviewee’s seat: John Millman.
“First of all, if I knew I was in this room…” Millman said as he took a seat, his eyes widening as he scanned the largest and most prestigious of press rooms in Ashe with a huge grin spread across his face. “…I haven't been in this one before.”
Millman also hasn’t been in the fourth round of a Grand Slam. But that’s all changed this week.
At 29 years old, Australia’s Millman is no stranger to the game. He is, however, a new visitant to the second week of a Grand Slam. After dismissing American Jenson Brooksby in Round 1 of the 2018 US Open, and ousting No. 14 seed Fabio Fognini in Round 2, Millman tied his biggest career win and matched his career-best at a Grand Slam.
READ MORE: Getting to know you - John Millman
Then on Saturday, his third-round win over Mikhail Kukushkin has finally extended the world No. 55’s sabbatical to his longest yet in the Big Apple.
“I'm extremely excited,” said Millman. “It was a goal of mine to make, you know, second week of a Grand Slam. I have managed to do so.”
A 12-year veteran of the circuit, the baseline grinder has ridden the rollercoaster of rankings for most of his career due to incessant and side-lining injuries. A quick glance at his rankings resembles a game of Chutes and Ladders: One year, Millman will ascend to a new career-high ranking, buoying in the fresh glow of a superior ranking range, before succumbing to the next injury. His service game then traded in for the surgical table, which has included a 2013 shoulder reconstruction and a 2017 groin surgery. The time off resting and recuperating would see Millman’s rank fall, forcing him to fight his way up once again. A cyclical routine on which Millman rinsed and repeated for a few years.
But 2018 has been different for Millman. With his health finally in line, Millman’s lack of injuries has been a boon for his game, attributing to his career-best year on the court.
“I’ve always had the belief that my ranking can continually improve if I can keep my body right,” Millman told ATPWorldTour.com in July. “And luckily this year I’ve had no major injuries.”
In 2018, Millman made his first ATP Final in Budapest, before falling to Italy’s Marco Cecchinato, 7-5, 6-4. He also took two challenger titles, defeating countryman Nick Kyrgios in Kyoto, and compatriot Bernard Tomic in Aix En Provence. In July, he ascended to a career-high ranking of world No. 49.
“It doesn't come as a surprise to me that, you know, I get 12, 13, 14 months on the trot that my game and my ranking has gotten better,” said Millman. “It's about trying to stay fit for me. It hasn't come that easy. I feel like I do all the right things, but sometimes it's not meant to be with my body.”
Before the US Open, it had seemed that Millman’s body was on the outs again. In his only two hard court events before the Open, Millman withdrew from his Round 1 qualifying match in Cincinnati citing a hip injury, and lost in the first round in Winston Salem.
But once he hit the hard courts at Flushing Meadows, Millman’s been in fine form and a formidable opponent for his first three rounds.
Now, the road warrior, who has paid his dues and punched his ticket into the round of 16, is new to the spotlight – and the territory that comes with it.
While the players that hold the more titles, prize money and prowess roll deep with an extensive team by their sides to each and every tournament, Millman’s immediate family is his posse of choice.
“It’s why I play tennis, to be honest with you,” Millman told ATPWorldTour.com in July. “So my friends and family can enjoy the experience.”
When Millman first made the main draw at Wimbledon in 2015, his mother came to watch and support. In years since, Millman’s been accompanied by, or rather, charged with the care and keeping of his father, Ron Millman.
Ron, who has dubbed himself, “The Fox,” accompanied Millman to Wimbledon this year. While player’s take to social media to share their on court-triumphs, Millman instead detailed the infamous tale of “The Fox” getting lost in London.
Despite the Fox’s faults, he did show his support in other ways. Before his second round match against Milos Raonic of Canada, Millman’s underwear was deemed too-bright for the all-white tennis togs of the Wimbledon lawns. In stepped the quick, cunning and paternal Fox, who saved the day with a new pair deemed appropriate for the All-England Club.
While the Fox made an appearance at Wimbledon, it appears New York City is too much for the older Millman.
“Manhattan is crazy…” said Millman. “I've even gotten on the wrong train in Manhattan. I reckon my dad, he'd end up in New Jersey…I won't fly him in right now, though, because it might just be another little stress, and he'll probably get on the wrong flight and wind up on the other side of the world maybe.”
And no doubt, Millman will face stress in his next match.
In the Round of 16, Millman will take on world No. 2, five-time US Open champion, Roger Federer, who just one round earlier dismissed Millman’s compatriot Kyrgios in a three-set thriller.
With his deepest draw run in a Slam to date and the biggest opponent on the planet, comes the grandest stage in tennis for the Brisbane native: Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Millman will take on the Maestro as the marquee night match on Ashe on Monday night, his first match on the iconic court.
Millman had only been on the hallowed hardcourt for the first time a few days before the fortnight, taking in a practice session with Andy Murray.
“I managed to have a hit on it [Arthur Ashe Stadium court] for the first time with Andy before the tournament, so that was actually pretty cool,” Millman told reporters. “I didn't necessarily think I'd end up potentially playing on Arthur Ashe, but if I do, I think it's one of the more iconic courts in the world, so I think that's really cool.”
Federer? Check. Arthur Ashe Stadium? Check. Iconic US Open night match? Check.
Millman’s next match is a recipe for stress. But for Millman? The Round of 16 couldn't be more sweet.
“I will relish the opportunity regardless of my opponent, and really looking forward to making the most of a second week at a Grand Slam.”
