1 00:00:02,160 --> 00:00:04,609 Speaker 1: Hello and welcome to The Sit Down. I'm Viv Christie, 2 00:00:04,680 --> 00:00:06,450 Speaker 1: Managing Editor of Australian Tennis Magazine. 3 00:00:06,630 --> 00:00:09,510 Speaker 2: And I'm Matt Trollope, a writer for ozopen.com. And Viv, 4 00:00:09,630 --> 00:00:12,010 Speaker 2: why are we sitting down this week with John Millman? 5 00:00:12,150 --> 00:00:15,230 Speaker 1: Well, it's been almost a year since John Millman played 6 00:00:15,290 --> 00:00:19,400 Speaker 1: his last professional match at AO 2024. Always a big 7 00:00:19,460 --> 00:00:22,439 Speaker 1: favourite with the fans and with the media as well. 8 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:24,580 Speaker 1: Everyone always loves to hear what he's been up to 9 00:00:24,739 --> 00:00:26,900 Speaker 1: and we wanted to check in on his year in retirement. 10 00:00:27,380 --> 00:00:30,260 Speaker 2: So Australian doubles great Todd Woodbridge actually did this interview 11 00:00:30,300 --> 00:00:32,060 Speaker 2: with John and Todd's one of our colleagues now. 12 00:00:32,159 --> 00:00:33,720 Speaker 3: So let's hear what they had to chat about. 13 00:00:37,390 --> 00:00:39,729 Speaker 4: It's a pleasure to be able to welcome John Millman. 14 00:00:39,790 --> 00:00:42,230 Speaker 4: Tell us, how are things going in retirement? 15 00:00:42,650 --> 00:00:45,230 Speaker 5: Yeah, thanks for having me. Things have been different. It's 16 00:00:45,310 --> 00:00:48,470 Speaker 5: definitely a change of pace. I'm up here in Brisbane 17 00:00:48,610 --> 00:00:51,089 Speaker 5: and it's been nice. It's been really nice to get 18 00:00:51,150 --> 00:00:54,980 Speaker 5: off the road, reacquaint yourself with with friends and family. 19 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:57,740 Speaker 5: As you know, Todd, life as a professional tennis player, 20 00:00:57,780 --> 00:01:01,100 Speaker 5: especially an Australian one, you travel up to 10 and 21 00:01:01,120 --> 00:01:03,560 Speaker 5: a half months a year. And towards the end of 22 00:01:03,620 --> 00:01:06,240 Speaker 5: your career, you do look forward to having a bit 23 00:01:06,260 --> 00:01:10,390 Speaker 5: more stability and being back home and having that stability 24 00:01:10,470 --> 00:01:12,530 Speaker 5: up here in Brisbane has been perfect. 25 00:01:12,650 --> 00:01:15,220 Speaker 4: Once you get it though, are you comfortable with it? 26 00:01:15,250 --> 00:01:17,390 Speaker 4: Because the transition is difficult. 27 00:01:18,430 --> 00:01:21,490 Speaker 5: It's super difficult. I remember when I was finishing up 28 00:01:22,030 --> 00:01:24,090 Speaker 5: And the one thing I was going to look forward 29 00:01:24,150 --> 00:01:26,380 Speaker 5: to is to get out of that structure and to 30 00:01:26,440 --> 00:01:30,479 Speaker 5: get out of that monotony of the routines, going to 31 00:01:30,500 --> 00:01:34,820 Speaker 5: the courts, warming up, doing your rehab, your prehab, hitting 32 00:01:34,860 --> 00:01:38,240 Speaker 5: and rinse and repeat day after day after day for 33 00:01:38,500 --> 00:01:41,470 Speaker 5: year after year after year. So I really thought that 34 00:01:41,870 --> 00:01:46,429 Speaker 5: I would love to escape that structure, but I found 35 00:01:46,510 --> 00:01:49,370 Speaker 5: out pretty quickly that that structure is something that's part 36 00:01:49,410 --> 00:01:52,740 Speaker 5: of my DNA now. So It is a difficult little process. 37 00:01:52,820 --> 00:01:55,760 Speaker 5: It's really about finding yourself. And I really use the 38 00:01:55,820 --> 00:01:59,360 Speaker 5: time to, like I did my tennis career, to really 39 00:01:59,710 --> 00:02:02,150 Speaker 5: gear myself up with as many tools as possible. I'm 40 00:02:02,190 --> 00:02:04,370 Speaker 5: back doing a little bit of study in the hope 41 00:02:04,510 --> 00:02:08,060 Speaker 5: that it'll help that transition process. And I can offer, 42 00:02:09,139 --> 00:02:12,880 Speaker 5: you know, hopefully... some different skills and expertise outside of 43 00:02:12,900 --> 00:02:13,460 Speaker 5: the tennis court. 44 00:02:13,680 --> 00:02:15,600 Speaker 4: Let's talk a little bit about the start of your 45 00:02:15,639 --> 00:02:18,900 Speaker 4: tennis career. Obviously, a Brisbane boy. And how did it 46 00:02:18,940 --> 00:02:22,760 Speaker 4: come about that you got yourself into tennis? My understanding 47 00:02:22,820 --> 00:02:25,440 Speaker 4: is that it was a lot to do with your 48 00:02:25,500 --> 00:02:26,440 Speaker 4: parents and family. 49 00:02:27,510 --> 00:02:27,989 Speaker 3: Yeah, it was. 50 00:02:28,070 --> 00:02:31,410 Speaker 5: And mum and dad, originally, they weren't your traditional tennis families. 51 00:02:31,450 --> 00:02:34,870 Speaker 5: They didn't grow up playing themselves. But my sisters did. 52 00:02:35,070 --> 00:02:37,490 Speaker 5: My old man, he played in the National Soccer League 53 00:02:37,510 --> 00:02:40,540 Speaker 5: back in the day. Towards the end of his football career. 54 00:02:40,560 --> 00:02:42,600 Speaker 5: He was a school teacher too. But towards the end 55 00:02:42,639 --> 00:02:44,960 Speaker 5: of his football career, when he was playing in one 56 00:02:45,000 --> 00:02:48,040 Speaker 5: of the local Queensland clubs, part of his contract was 57 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:50,620 Speaker 5: to build a tennis court in our backyard. We had 58 00:02:50,639 --> 00:02:52,679 Speaker 5: a bit of a career joke written for Sheldon. So 59 00:02:53,560 --> 00:02:55,840 Speaker 5: I had that in the backyard as a really young kid. 60 00:02:56,990 --> 00:02:59,530 Speaker 5: And I had this old ball machine that I'd kind 61 00:02:59,570 --> 00:03:02,310 Speaker 5: of trawl down the hill in the bush and hook 62 00:03:02,330 --> 00:03:04,190 Speaker 5: that up. And you'd see me down there playing for 63 00:03:04,230 --> 00:03:07,690 Speaker 5: hours on end. I often joke that I probably peaked 64 00:03:07,730 --> 00:03:11,030 Speaker 5: as a four-year-old because I was the youngest four-year-olds at 65 00:03:11,070 --> 00:03:15,930 Speaker 5: the local tennis club, Lafts Tennis Center, to play fixtures there. 66 00:03:16,650 --> 00:03:19,120 Speaker 5: And I honestly think that I was probably the best 67 00:03:19,160 --> 00:03:22,720 Speaker 5: four-year-old in the world. So unfortunately for me, my career 68 00:03:22,960 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 5: peaked as a four-year-old, went downhill from there, but I 69 00:03:25,760 --> 00:03:28,780 Speaker 5: had such a good time. And my earliest memories were 70 00:03:29,020 --> 00:03:30,900 Speaker 5: getting out on the court, whether that be with the 71 00:03:30,980 --> 00:03:35,640 Speaker 5: sisters or mates, but especially by myself. And later on 72 00:03:35,660 --> 00:03:38,340 Speaker 5: in my career, I actually found out that that was 73 00:03:38,380 --> 00:03:41,700 Speaker 5: probably a skill in itself to be able to spend 74 00:03:41,740 --> 00:03:45,050 Speaker 5: hours on the court without your parents or your coaches 75 00:03:45,130 --> 00:03:48,290 Speaker 5: or your mates around. I really could amuse myself by 76 00:03:48,310 --> 00:03:50,870 Speaker 5: hitting tennis balls up against the wall, up against the 77 00:03:50,910 --> 00:03:52,750 Speaker 5: ball machine or hitting serves. 78 00:03:53,130 --> 00:03:55,910 Speaker 4: So for the best four-year-old in the world, it's not 79 00:03:55,950 --> 00:03:59,480 Speaker 4: an easy journey. As we all know, there's a roller 80 00:03:59,540 --> 00:04:02,220 Speaker 4: coaster that's about to happen in your career. And as 81 00:04:02,240 --> 00:04:05,070 Speaker 4: you get through juniors and you're coming along through Where 82 00:04:05,090 --> 00:04:08,230 Speaker 4: was the moment where you started to think, I can 83 00:04:08,290 --> 00:04:11,870 Speaker 4: actually make a career out of this? And I don't 84 00:04:11,910 --> 00:04:13,670 Speaker 4: know if there was a moment for you in time 85 00:04:13,710 --> 00:04:16,360 Speaker 4: when you've got to maybe some futures and you're playing 86 00:04:16,460 --> 00:04:20,160 Speaker 4: ITS and you're out there. When did you go, yes, 87 00:04:20,920 --> 00:04:24,120 Speaker 4: I can make money and I can have a great career? 88 00:04:24,980 --> 00:04:27,320 Speaker 5: Well, the making money part, that took a long time. 89 00:04:28,310 --> 00:04:30,130 Speaker 3: You've got a little story about that. I'd love to 90 00:04:30,170 --> 00:04:30,480 Speaker 3: hear it. 91 00:04:30,490 --> 00:04:33,359 Speaker 5: To think if I could make some money, but It 92 00:04:33,400 --> 00:04:39,620 Speaker 5: was always something that I wanted to do. Having parents 93 00:04:39,690 --> 00:04:42,750 Speaker 5: as school teachers, there was always an emphasis on, John, 94 00:04:42,810 --> 00:04:45,570 Speaker 5: you have to go to school. So I did all 95 00:04:45,589 --> 00:04:48,390 Speaker 5: my schooling. So it's a slightly different journey to a 96 00:04:48,430 --> 00:04:50,690 Speaker 5: fair few of my peers, even some of my Australian 97 00:04:50,730 --> 00:04:53,950 Speaker 5: peers who did the distance education and ended up doing 98 00:04:53,990 --> 00:04:58,050 Speaker 5: that whole junior world circuit without playing junior Wimbledon's and 99 00:04:58,070 --> 00:05:01,030 Speaker 5: your junior US Opens. But I took a different path 100 00:05:01,110 --> 00:05:04,040 Speaker 5: and And probably a little bit was that to do 101 00:05:04,120 --> 00:05:08,070 Speaker 5: with my parents not really understanding the tennis environment. They 102 00:05:08,110 --> 00:05:11,610 Speaker 5: didn't realize how many players played across the world and 103 00:05:11,870 --> 00:05:14,270 Speaker 5: how good you had to be. So I was probably 104 00:05:14,290 --> 00:05:17,130 Speaker 5: at a bit of a disadvantage early on, but definitely 105 00:05:17,150 --> 00:05:19,210 Speaker 5: in the back of my mind, when I finished high school, 106 00:05:19,250 --> 00:05:21,570 Speaker 5: I wanted to give it a crack. But on the 107 00:05:21,610 --> 00:05:23,150 Speaker 5: other hand, I didn't want my parents to go and 108 00:05:23,180 --> 00:05:26,349 Speaker 5: have to remortgage their house of They were providers for 109 00:05:26,410 --> 00:05:29,120 Speaker 5: our family. They were five jobs between them to send 110 00:05:29,330 --> 00:05:31,820 Speaker 5: myself and my sisters to private school. So the one 111 00:05:31,839 --> 00:05:35,880 Speaker 5: thing I was, you know, really aware of was the 112 00:05:35,920 --> 00:05:39,260 Speaker 5: fact that they've made so many sacrifices. Me chasing a 113 00:05:39,320 --> 00:05:43,900 Speaker 5: dream was going to be on my back and my shoulders. 114 00:05:43,960 --> 00:05:48,000 Speaker 5: So about 18 years old, I'd just finished school and 115 00:05:48,020 --> 00:05:51,790 Speaker 5: I packed up my bags and Like many other aspiring 116 00:05:51,850 --> 00:05:54,650 Speaker 5: tennis players, you go to Europe because that's where all 117 00:05:54,690 --> 00:05:59,450 Speaker 5: the tournaments are. One of my first tournaments, I should say, 118 00:05:59,570 --> 00:06:02,760 Speaker 5: was in Malia. And I remember catching about six different 119 00:06:02,820 --> 00:06:05,980 Speaker 5: planes to get there. As you know, Todd, you're trying 120 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:08,540 Speaker 5: to find the cheapest ticket. That means a lot of 121 00:06:08,580 --> 00:06:12,140 Speaker 5: stopovers and a lot of different airline carriers. I find 122 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:14,000 Speaker 5: out that Malia is actually at the top of Africa. 123 00:06:14,020 --> 00:06:16,900 Speaker 5: So that added another flight to the journey. And I 124 00:06:16,920 --> 00:06:20,400 Speaker 5: was playing there, and back then, these are $ 10, 000 futures. 125 00:06:20,460 --> 00:06:22,290 Speaker 5: So this is the lowest of the low, but you 126 00:06:22,310 --> 00:06:24,310 Speaker 5: have to play them. If you're unranked, you have to 127 00:06:24,350 --> 00:06:27,810 Speaker 5: play that to get those valuable ranking points. And I 128 00:06:27,850 --> 00:06:30,469 Speaker 5: got through qualifying. I had to win four matches just 129 00:06:30,510 --> 00:06:32,870 Speaker 5: to get through qualifying. You're up against these Spaniards and 130 00:06:32,890 --> 00:06:35,690 Speaker 5: these Europeans that have their coach there. And I lost 131 00:06:35,740 --> 00:06:37,720 Speaker 5: the first round, but I was pretty chuffed. This is 132 00:06:37,800 --> 00:06:39,860 Speaker 5: when I was going to pick up my first professional 133 00:06:39,900 --> 00:06:44,570 Speaker 5: prize money check and rock up, you know. shoulders back, 134 00:06:44,890 --> 00:06:48,690 Speaker 5: feeling pretty good about myself, surprise money office. And the 135 00:06:48,710 --> 00:06:51,969 Speaker 5: check was for 80 euros. And I realized then and there, Todd, 136 00:06:52,029 --> 00:06:54,050 Speaker 5: that that 80 euros was not going to cover too 137 00:06:54,089 --> 00:06:56,970 Speaker 5: many of the expenses. But it was a dream of mine. 138 00:06:57,089 --> 00:06:59,210 Speaker 5: It was a dream of mine to really give it 139 00:06:59,230 --> 00:07:02,610 Speaker 5: a crack. There's obviously so many moments where you're going 140 00:07:02,650 --> 00:07:08,130 Speaker 5: to have those moments of self-doubt. And that happens. Tennis 141 00:07:08,170 --> 00:07:11,830 Speaker 5: is brutal. Everyone loses every single week except for one person. 142 00:07:12,960 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 5: But bit by bit, I improved. There was adversity along 143 00:07:16,400 --> 00:07:20,740 Speaker 5: the way with injuries, but eventually I managed to make 144 00:07:20,800 --> 00:07:22,520 Speaker 5: a career of it and got to do what I 145 00:07:22,580 --> 00:07:26,710 Speaker 5: loved and got to do what I wanted to always 146 00:07:26,790 --> 00:07:29,170 Speaker 5: do as a kid growing up, which was to play 147 00:07:29,630 --> 00:07:31,750 Speaker 5: on the biggest stage, on the biggest courts in the world. 148 00:07:32,030 --> 00:07:35,090 Speaker 4: Well, talking about that, you've gone from the top of Africa, 149 00:07:35,610 --> 00:07:39,800 Speaker 4: battling it out in difficult circumstances, and then you talk 150 00:07:39,820 --> 00:07:43,060 Speaker 4: about the top courts in the world. For me, that 151 00:07:43,130 --> 00:07:47,180 Speaker 4: moment for you was the US Open. And there's one 152 00:07:47,240 --> 00:07:51,780 Speaker 4: player that pops up in your, well, for me, your 153 00:07:51,820 --> 00:07:55,740 Speaker 4: memory is Roger Federer. Now, I had Pete Sampras back 154 00:07:55,780 --> 00:07:58,410 Speaker 4: in my day. I got a win over him. And, 155 00:07:58,920 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 4: you know, when he finished, he was the GOAT. In 156 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,200 Speaker 4: your career, Roger was the GOAT, and you get a 157 00:08:05,240 --> 00:08:09,430 Speaker 4: win over him. Extraordinary, really, when you look back on it. 158 00:08:09,680 --> 00:08:10,340 Speaker 3: To beat him. 159 00:08:11,130 --> 00:08:13,960 Speaker 4: on Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open. Tell us 160 00:08:14,020 --> 00:08:17,240 Speaker 4: about that experience. And then I want another couple of questions, 161 00:08:17,300 --> 00:08:18,800 Speaker 4: if I may, about Roger to you. 162 00:08:19,760 --> 00:08:23,690 Speaker 5: Yeah, I mean, I never envisaged after that match that 163 00:08:23,730 --> 00:08:26,550 Speaker 5: I'd be talking about Roger so much. But I can 164 00:08:26,610 --> 00:08:30,390 Speaker 5: understand it, right, because he transcended our sport. The way 165 00:08:30,410 --> 00:08:34,650 Speaker 5: he went about it, his elegance, his artistry on the court, 166 00:08:35,580 --> 00:08:37,300 Speaker 5: and the way he handled himself off the court. He 167 00:08:37,340 --> 00:08:41,530 Speaker 5: speaks about six different languages. He's just a really class individual. 168 00:08:41,570 --> 00:08:44,490 Speaker 5: I've played him a few times before, but obviously you're 169 00:08:44,510 --> 00:08:46,550 Speaker 5: about to play him in the round of 16 on 170 00:08:46,610 --> 00:08:49,410 Speaker 5: Arthur Ashe, which is the biggest stadium that we have 171 00:08:49,470 --> 00:08:51,470 Speaker 5: in men's and women's tennis. I think it holds about 172 00:08:51,470 --> 00:08:56,429 Speaker 5: 26,000 people. It is absolutely huge. In fact, when you're 173 00:08:56,450 --> 00:08:59,410 Speaker 5: warming up there, I remember hitting with Andy. It might 174 00:08:59,429 --> 00:09:02,449 Speaker 5: have been at that tournament earlier on. And one of 175 00:09:02,470 --> 00:09:04,770 Speaker 5: the things you do at Arthur Ashe if the roof's 176 00:09:04,929 --> 00:09:07,340 Speaker 5: open is, You grab a ball at the end of 177 00:09:07,380 --> 00:09:09,600 Speaker 5: the session, you try to hit it out of the stadium, 178 00:09:09,660 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 5: and I don't know one person that's managed to do so. 179 00:09:12,780 --> 00:09:16,160 Speaker 5: It is just such a big stadium. So you're warming 180 00:09:16,280 --> 00:09:21,160 Speaker 5: up before the TV screens are on, and there's Anacone 181 00:09:21,210 --> 00:09:24,710 Speaker 5: giving you zero chance, and all the pundits, and rightly so. 182 00:09:24,730 --> 00:09:27,270 Speaker 5: I mean, Rodger was, as you've touched on, one of 183 00:09:27,290 --> 00:09:31,190 Speaker 5: the greatest ever to do it. So, yeah, look, it's 184 00:09:31,230 --> 00:09:34,480 Speaker 5: just really interesting. You go out there, and the one 185 00:09:34,500 --> 00:09:37,209 Speaker 5: thing against Rodger, was that I wasn't going to play 186 00:09:37,250 --> 00:09:39,550 Speaker 5: his reputation. I was lucky enough to play him multiple 187 00:09:39,570 --> 00:09:44,000 Speaker 5: times before. And instead of playing, you know, his name, 188 00:09:44,640 --> 00:09:47,080 Speaker 5: I wanted to play the man. And I was very 189 00:09:47,640 --> 00:09:50,300 Speaker 5: aware of that. Another thing that you would know, Todd, 190 00:09:50,360 --> 00:09:53,590 Speaker 5: is when you're at Arthur Ashe or even in the 191 00:09:53,620 --> 00:09:57,849 Speaker 5: States in general at New York, the crowd is a very, 192 00:09:57,970 --> 00:10:02,120 Speaker 5: very unique one. They're not necessarily engaged in the match 193 00:10:02,160 --> 00:10:04,900 Speaker 5: if the match isn't giving them a reason to be engaged. 194 00:10:05,480 --> 00:10:08,140 Speaker 5: They're there having a bit of a good time. They're drinking. 195 00:10:08,179 --> 00:10:11,040 Speaker 5: They're taking their selfies. They're making sure they've got the 196 00:10:11,100 --> 00:10:14,360 Speaker 5: Instagram posts up and running, and they're not really engaged 197 00:10:14,400 --> 00:10:17,240 Speaker 5: in the match. And It was about after I won 198 00:10:17,270 --> 00:10:19,080 Speaker 5: the second set. I was down a set in 5-3, 199 00:10:19,100 --> 00:10:21,939 Speaker 5: and Roger was playing some pretty good tennis. I managed 200 00:10:21,980 --> 00:10:25,060 Speaker 5: to turn the tables in that second set, and towards 201 00:10:25,100 --> 00:10:28,040 Speaker 5: the end of the third set, I remember changing the ends, 202 00:10:28,160 --> 00:10:31,480 Speaker 5: and all of a sudden, the crowd started to really hush, 203 00:10:32,020 --> 00:10:36,540 Speaker 5: and that constant chatter that you heard kind of disappeared, 204 00:10:36,559 --> 00:10:40,920 Speaker 5: and they started playing every single point with you or 205 00:10:40,960 --> 00:10:44,300 Speaker 5: against you, most of the time against me. Roger Federer 206 00:10:44,340 --> 00:10:46,500 Speaker 5: had the home support even in Australia when I was 207 00:10:46,559 --> 00:10:49,179 Speaker 5: up against him. He had the home support wherever he went. 208 00:10:49,720 --> 00:10:53,860 Speaker 5: But I really recognized that moment. And I started to 209 00:10:55,070 --> 00:10:57,270 Speaker 5: believe that if the crowd thinks there might be a 210 00:10:57,290 --> 00:11:00,870 Speaker 5: bit of an upset, I should be believing there could 211 00:11:00,910 --> 00:11:03,050 Speaker 5: be a bit of an upset. And as the match 212 00:11:03,110 --> 00:11:06,770 Speaker 5: wore on, I kind of got stronger physically. It's hot there. 213 00:11:07,130 --> 00:11:10,150 Speaker 5: It was a really hot summer in the States that year. 214 00:11:10,690 --> 00:11:13,710 Speaker 5: And people don't know that Flushing Meadows actually built in 215 00:11:13,800 --> 00:11:18,130 Speaker 5: swamp lands. So it creates this really humid environment. If 216 00:11:18,190 --> 00:11:21,170 Speaker 5: the conditions are right for that, which is not too 217 00:11:21,210 --> 00:11:24,330 Speaker 5: dissimilar to Australia, uh, to Brisbane, I should say where 218 00:11:24,350 --> 00:11:27,490 Speaker 5: the summer you get those really afternoon storms with all 219 00:11:27,530 --> 00:11:31,160 Speaker 5: that humidity. So custom made for myself, I thought Roger 220 00:11:31,179 --> 00:11:34,040 Speaker 5: was starting to, to struggle physically. And as the match 221 00:11:34,080 --> 00:11:37,120 Speaker 5: went on, I went stronger and stronger and the stars aligned. 222 00:11:37,179 --> 00:11:42,929 Speaker 5: Unfortunately for me after the match, um, you go and 223 00:11:42,950 --> 00:11:44,849 Speaker 5: look at the draw and you've got Novak Djokovic in 224 00:11:44,870 --> 00:11:47,099 Speaker 5: the quarterfinal. So it didn't get any easier for me, 225 00:11:47,460 --> 00:11:48,480 Speaker 5: but it was a thrill. 226 00:11:49,059 --> 00:11:50,020 Speaker 3: It really doesn't matter. 227 00:11:50,100 --> 00:11:52,580 Speaker 4: To have that victory on that court in a slam, 228 00:11:52,720 --> 00:11:54,479 Speaker 4: not many players were able to do it. 229 00:11:54,679 --> 00:11:56,280 Speaker 3: And you almost pulled it off once again at the 230 00:11:56,320 --> 00:11:57,079 Speaker 3: Australian Open. 231 00:11:57,120 --> 00:11:59,550 Speaker 4: You were so close in a fifth set battle there. 232 00:11:59,830 --> 00:12:01,650 Speaker 4: And the other question I had for you is that 233 00:12:02,010 --> 00:12:05,949 Speaker 4: Your game style, you know, gritty, determined, baseliner. At times 234 00:12:05,990 --> 00:12:08,030 Speaker 4: there seemed like an invisible line that you didn't want 235 00:12:08,050 --> 00:12:09,730 Speaker 4: to cross to come forward to the net. You know, 236 00:12:09,750 --> 00:12:11,490 Speaker 4: I had to commentate a lot on your matches. I went, 237 00:12:11,650 --> 00:12:13,410 Speaker 4: get in, John, get in, please. 238 00:12:13,970 --> 00:12:17,030 Speaker 5: I didn't have the skill set. That was the problem. 239 00:12:17,070 --> 00:12:20,410 Speaker 4: But you knew your strengths and your mentality and your 240 00:12:20,470 --> 00:12:22,970 Speaker 4: fitness and you backed all of that. But how is 241 00:12:23,030 --> 00:12:26,170 Speaker 4: it that Federer could beat any player in the world, 242 00:12:26,610 --> 00:12:30,050 Speaker 4: but you gave him trouble? What gave him trouble in 243 00:12:30,370 --> 00:12:31,370 Speaker 4: playing your style? 244 00:12:32,470 --> 00:12:34,929 Speaker 5: Yeah, I think a few things. I think first and foremost, 245 00:12:35,030 --> 00:12:38,630 Speaker 5: having had experiences in the past playing against him and 246 00:12:38,670 --> 00:12:42,859 Speaker 5: having some success really helped me. Brisbane International 2015, I 247 00:12:42,880 --> 00:12:44,920 Speaker 5: was up a set in the break there, came really 248 00:12:44,980 --> 00:12:48,280 Speaker 5: close to knocking him off there. And I think that 249 00:12:48,300 --> 00:12:52,250 Speaker 5: illusion of Roger Federer or that illusion of one of 250 00:12:52,290 --> 00:12:57,570 Speaker 5: these superstars, you kind of start to really believe in 251 00:12:57,590 --> 00:13:02,020 Speaker 5: yourself that, you know, this guy is amazing, but but 252 00:13:02,280 --> 00:13:04,679 Speaker 5: I can beat him. If he has a slightly off 253 00:13:04,700 --> 00:13:08,120 Speaker 5: day and I'm really on, I think these players can 254 00:13:08,160 --> 00:13:10,920 Speaker 5: win so many matches on reputation alone. So I think 255 00:13:10,940 --> 00:13:14,970 Speaker 5: that that really helps. But also I think Roger really 256 00:13:15,090 --> 00:13:18,550 Speaker 5: sets up his game with that back-end slice. I think 257 00:13:18,610 --> 00:13:20,689 Speaker 5: he's got a great back-end slice and a lot of 258 00:13:20,870 --> 00:13:24,450 Speaker 5: players will drop that one a little bit short or 259 00:13:24,510 --> 00:13:28,130 Speaker 5: can't quite penetrate and cut sideline off that slice. And 260 00:13:28,170 --> 00:13:30,170 Speaker 5: as soon as you go a little bit central with him, 261 00:13:30,530 --> 00:13:32,830 Speaker 5: He's so quick to get around and use his forehand 262 00:13:32,870 --> 00:13:35,770 Speaker 5: and really start opening you up. And that opens up 263 00:13:36,410 --> 00:13:40,310 Speaker 5: so much landscape for him. All of a sudden, he 264 00:13:40,330 --> 00:13:42,510 Speaker 5: can use his angles. He can get in. He can 265 00:13:42,620 --> 00:13:44,220 Speaker 5: use his hands at the net. We know how good 266 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:46,579 Speaker 5: of a volleyer he was. So I think that I 267 00:13:47,300 --> 00:13:50,140 Speaker 5: never really struggled with that. My two-handed backhand was always 268 00:13:50,220 --> 00:13:52,800 Speaker 5: quite solid. I felt as if I used a lot 269 00:13:52,820 --> 00:13:55,490 Speaker 5: of left hand on my two-handed backhand, which meant I 270 00:13:55,500 --> 00:13:59,130 Speaker 5: could get underneath the slice and really kind of cut 271 00:13:59,210 --> 00:14:02,550 Speaker 5: sideline play. off that shot, which I think he's not 272 00:14:02,650 --> 00:14:04,969 Speaker 5: really used to. And he was used to players more 273 00:14:04,990 --> 00:14:08,650 Speaker 5: going middle corridor against him. And out of that forehand wing, 274 00:14:09,210 --> 00:14:11,950 Speaker 5: this sounds a bit silly and maybe I'm completely wrong, 275 00:14:12,050 --> 00:14:15,750 Speaker 5: but I felt as if that Roger, because of the 276 00:14:15,790 --> 00:14:20,080 Speaker 5: array of weaponry that he had and how graceful he 277 00:14:20,140 --> 00:14:22,800 Speaker 5: made the game look. And even when you practice with him, 278 00:14:23,200 --> 00:14:25,180 Speaker 5: he'll go one or two and then he'll try to 279 00:14:25,220 --> 00:14:27,280 Speaker 5: do like a little back spinning drop shot or a 280 00:14:27,300 --> 00:14:33,150 Speaker 5: little short slice or some like, flat forehand cross-court winner, 281 00:14:33,930 --> 00:14:36,190 Speaker 5: he wants to try different things. And I felt as 282 00:14:36,270 --> 00:14:42,360 Speaker 5: if if I could repeat these patterns and with quality, 283 00:14:42,380 --> 00:14:44,620 Speaker 5: because you have to have it with quality, I felt 284 00:14:44,680 --> 00:14:48,460 Speaker 5: as if you could almost ball Roger. And eventually he'd 285 00:14:48,480 --> 00:14:51,000 Speaker 5: try to do something that wasn't quite on. And I 286 00:14:51,040 --> 00:14:53,670 Speaker 5: know that sounds silly and I might talk to Roger 287 00:14:53,730 --> 00:14:55,770 Speaker 5: or Severin and I might be completely off the mark, 288 00:14:55,810 --> 00:14:57,210 Speaker 5: but at least that's what I felt. 289 00:14:57,290 --> 00:14:58,470 Speaker 3: Yeah, and you stuck two guns on that. 290 00:14:59,850 --> 00:15:01,970 Speaker 5: Yeah, and I think that's a really, really good thing 291 00:15:02,030 --> 00:15:05,030 Speaker 5: to have that clarity when you're out there. And I 292 00:15:05,090 --> 00:15:08,050 Speaker 5: think when you can start seeing these little vulnerabilities, even 293 00:15:08,090 --> 00:15:09,570 Speaker 5: if it might not be the case, but if you 294 00:15:09,670 --> 00:15:12,590 Speaker 5: think that they exist, it actually goes a long way 295 00:15:12,650 --> 00:15:14,850 Speaker 5: to going on and beating him. And obviously I had 296 00:15:14,910 --> 00:15:19,060 Speaker 5: another chance at the Australian Open. It's only in my retirement, Todd, 297 00:15:19,420 --> 00:15:21,260 Speaker 5: that I can sit back there. I was up 8-4 298 00:15:21,520 --> 00:15:24,320 Speaker 5: in that fifth set tiebreaker. And I don't think you 299 00:15:24,380 --> 00:15:27,580 Speaker 5: ever want to let any negative thoughts go into your mind. 300 00:15:27,620 --> 00:15:30,330 Speaker 5: You have to get over losses. quickly in tennis. And 301 00:15:30,370 --> 00:15:32,030 Speaker 5: I think you have to get over losses quickly in 302 00:15:32,090 --> 00:15:36,489 Speaker 5: life and rub yourself off and go again. So I 303 00:15:36,550 --> 00:15:39,870 Speaker 5: managed to convince myself that I didn't do really anything wrong. 304 00:15:39,950 --> 00:15:43,220 Speaker 5: It was Roger Federer that pulled it out after being 305 00:15:43,240 --> 00:15:46,600 Speaker 5: 8-4 down and myself 8-4 up. But I can probably 306 00:15:46,640 --> 00:15:48,800 Speaker 5: look back at that now and go, look, I probably 307 00:15:48,840 --> 00:15:52,380 Speaker 5: choked that one away. And it's taken me since retirement 308 00:15:52,660 --> 00:15:55,730 Speaker 5: that I can do that and admit those little vulnerabilities 309 00:15:55,770 --> 00:15:56,350 Speaker 5: within myself. 310 00:15:56,960 --> 00:15:58,810 Speaker 3: Well, I still think an incredible effort. 311 00:15:58,950 --> 00:16:00,990 Speaker 4: Um, we've got about five minutes left, so we need 312 00:16:01,030 --> 00:16:04,670 Speaker 4: to talk about representing Australia Davis cup, wearing the green 313 00:16:04,710 --> 00:16:07,550 Speaker 4: and gold. Um, and that first moment that you get 314 00:16:07,590 --> 00:16:09,960 Speaker 4: selected in a Davis cup team, what was that like 315 00:16:10,240 --> 00:16:10,580 Speaker 4: for you? 316 00:16:10,600 --> 00:16:14,440 Speaker 5: The best feeling ever, uh, as you could tell Todd, 317 00:16:14,500 --> 00:16:17,700 Speaker 5: I've not normally lost the words, but I was that time. Um, 318 00:16:17,840 --> 00:16:21,350 Speaker 5: it was a semifinals, um, matches in the old format 319 00:16:21,390 --> 00:16:24,250 Speaker 5: that I know you and I both love. Um, even 320 00:16:24,290 --> 00:16:26,690 Speaker 5: when it's an away tie like that, it's perhaps even 321 00:16:26,730 --> 00:16:29,450 Speaker 5: better because you're going into this hostile environment. 322 00:16:29,770 --> 00:16:32,030 Speaker 3: They're the hardest matches that you ever play in your career. 323 00:16:32,480 --> 00:16:36,080 Speaker 4: And you remember them because of that, even the losses, 324 00:16:36,120 --> 00:16:38,460 Speaker 4: but the victories are better from my experience. 325 00:16:38,460 --> 00:16:42,540 Speaker 5: 100%. And we're going into Brussels in the semifinals. It's 326 00:16:42,560 --> 00:16:46,580 Speaker 5: an indoor stadium court and it's on the heaviest, slowest 327 00:16:46,700 --> 00:16:49,780 Speaker 5: dirt that you've ever played. So for most Australians, that 328 00:16:49,840 --> 00:16:52,960 Speaker 5: does not suit. But On the Wednesday before the tie 329 00:16:52,980 --> 00:16:56,740 Speaker 5: starts on Friday, Leighton and Jason kind of pull me 330 00:16:56,780 --> 00:16:59,120 Speaker 5: into the back room, and I'm here thinking, oh, I 331 00:16:59,440 --> 00:17:01,610 Speaker 5: probably missed out again maybe, even though I was playing 332 00:17:01,620 --> 00:17:05,590 Speaker 5: some pretty good tennis. And Leighton told me, John, we 333 00:17:05,609 --> 00:17:09,350 Speaker 5: want you to play day one against Goffon. And like 334 00:17:09,410 --> 00:17:11,450 Speaker 5: I said, Todd, I was lost for words, and I 335 00:17:11,490 --> 00:17:17,910 Speaker 5: was incredibly proud. I also think that playing for your country– 336 00:17:18,480 --> 00:17:23,410 Speaker 5: is your greatest opportunity to represent the people back home 337 00:17:23,470 --> 00:17:25,730 Speaker 5: that put you in that position to get you out 338 00:17:26,570 --> 00:17:29,650 Speaker 5: onto that court. Tennis is often seen as an individual sport, 339 00:17:29,690 --> 00:17:34,510 Speaker 5: but there's so many wheels that are turning behind the 340 00:17:34,570 --> 00:17:37,250 Speaker 5: scenes to give you that chance and to give you 341 00:17:37,290 --> 00:17:40,450 Speaker 5: that moment, whether that's with the Federation or whether that's 342 00:17:40,470 --> 00:17:43,460 Speaker 5: with your private coach or your friends and family who 343 00:17:43,500 --> 00:17:45,879 Speaker 5: have picked you up when you've fallen down. And I 344 00:17:45,940 --> 00:17:48,389 Speaker 5: felt as if when I got to play in the 345 00:17:48,430 --> 00:17:51,250 Speaker 5: green and gold, this was my chance to represent them. 346 00:17:51,570 --> 00:17:53,770 Speaker 5: So I was incredibly proud. I love David Scarp. I 347 00:17:53,790 --> 00:17:55,429 Speaker 5: just love being with the boys. I love being with 348 00:17:55,450 --> 00:17:59,390 Speaker 5: the team. I love picking Tony Roach's brain. I think 349 00:17:59,430 --> 00:18:03,629 Speaker 5: that there should be stadiums named after Roachie. He has 350 00:18:03,650 --> 00:18:07,550 Speaker 5: been a stalwart in men's and women's tennis, but particularly 351 00:18:08,310 --> 00:18:10,770 Speaker 5: later on in his career in men's tennis for the 352 00:18:10,830 --> 00:18:14,909 Speaker 5: Australian lads. Having him on the sideline, having him at dinner, 353 00:18:15,020 --> 00:18:18,170 Speaker 5: I mean, I would fly... today down to Sydney to 354 00:18:18,250 --> 00:18:20,030 Speaker 5: just talk to him for five minutes and hear his 355 00:18:20,109 --> 00:18:23,100 Speaker 5: stories and hear his advice in life in general. I 356 00:18:23,100 --> 00:18:26,980 Speaker 5: loved it. And having Leighton on the sidelines too, actually 357 00:18:27,060 --> 00:18:30,300 Speaker 5: on the court, sometimes it's intimidating because you want to 358 00:18:30,340 --> 00:18:32,700 Speaker 5: do so much for your captain and you know how 359 00:18:32,780 --> 00:18:34,360 Speaker 5: great of a player he was. I mean, I grew 360 00:18:34,420 --> 00:18:37,629 Speaker 5: up watching Leighton and to be able to share the 361 00:18:37,690 --> 00:18:42,090 Speaker 5: court with him in his team is incredibly special. And, 362 00:18:42,790 --> 00:18:44,149 Speaker 5: you know, I just love it. And you can see 363 00:18:44,170 --> 00:18:46,770 Speaker 5: that with the boys. right now you can see how 364 00:18:46,830 --> 00:18:49,510 Speaker 5: much they enjoy getting together as a team and why 365 00:18:49,530 --> 00:18:52,430 Speaker 5: we've had so much success more recently, because they love 366 00:18:52,450 --> 00:18:54,450 Speaker 5: being in that environment. They love playing for the country. 367 00:18:54,810 --> 00:18:58,629 Speaker 3: Um, favorite match that you can recall for whatever reason. 368 00:18:59,609 --> 00:19:04,070 Speaker 5: Yeah, that's a funny one. Cause everyone probably jumps to, to, um, 369 00:19:04,490 --> 00:19:05,609 Speaker 5: you know, the Roger. 370 00:19:05,369 --> 00:19:10,859 Speaker 4: Federer one, but, but in Davis cup, in that moment. 371 00:19:10,880 --> 00:19:11,080 Speaker 2: Yeah. 372 00:19:11,100 --> 00:19:14,929 Speaker 5: Davis cup. Oh no, Davis cup. Definitely actually in Adelaide. Uh, 373 00:19:15,430 --> 00:19:18,639 Speaker 5: We had a couple of injuries. So Alex Diminor couldn't play. 374 00:19:19,080 --> 00:19:23,860 Speaker 5: He was coming back from an ab tear. And so 375 00:19:23,980 --> 00:19:27,919 Speaker 5: I was the number one Australian player at the time. 376 00:19:28,760 --> 00:19:31,740 Speaker 5: So I got to lead the team. And I managed 377 00:19:31,780 --> 00:19:35,159 Speaker 5: to win. We're up against Brazil. And I managed to 378 00:19:35,220 --> 00:19:37,450 Speaker 5: win my first one after I should have lost. I 379 00:19:37,490 --> 00:19:43,090 Speaker 5: think Tiago Seaboth-Bills served for it. And he was playing 380 00:19:43,109 --> 00:19:45,310 Speaker 5: some great tennis. He just won his first tour event. 381 00:19:45,950 --> 00:19:52,389 Speaker 5: I managed to turn that one around. And Tomo played incredible. 382 00:19:52,890 --> 00:19:56,510 Speaker 5: We lost the doubles. So in my mind, I thought 383 00:19:56,530 --> 00:19:58,890 Speaker 5: we were going to win that doubles match, admittedly. And 384 00:19:59,250 --> 00:20:01,490 Speaker 5: it's really hard then in the space of 10 minutes 385 00:20:01,530 --> 00:20:03,580 Speaker 5: to kind of pick yourself up and go, okay, it's 386 00:20:03,600 --> 00:20:06,699 Speaker 5: time to go. Let's win this for the country. And 387 00:20:06,720 --> 00:20:11,180 Speaker 5: I managed to play against a very good friend of mine, And, um, 388 00:20:11,780 --> 00:20:14,420 Speaker 5: and I got up seven, six in the third set, um, 389 00:20:14,660 --> 00:20:20,669 Speaker 5: against Tiago and Montero. And it was just such an 390 00:20:20,730 --> 00:20:24,510 Speaker 5: awesome feeling to be given that responsibility from, from Leighton 391 00:20:24,550 --> 00:20:28,110 Speaker 5: and Roche. Um, the fact that they, they backed you 392 00:20:28,170 --> 00:20:30,710 Speaker 5: and believed in you to, to lead the team and 393 00:20:30,750 --> 00:20:34,310 Speaker 5: to be able to do so seven, six, uh, in the, 394 00:20:34,450 --> 00:20:38,060 Speaker 5: in that deciding match was really, really special. And, and 395 00:20:38,080 --> 00:20:39,480 Speaker 5: something that I'll remember for a long time. 396 00:20:39,640 --> 00:20:40,820 Speaker 3: At the drive. Well done. 397 00:20:41,619 --> 00:20:44,160 Speaker 4: And finally, to wrap things up, I want to say 398 00:20:44,180 --> 00:20:46,639 Speaker 4: to you, congratulations on a fantastic career. 399 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:49,020 Speaker 3: I know that you are going to go on and 400 00:20:49,080 --> 00:20:50,140 Speaker 3: do many good things. 401 00:20:50,200 --> 00:20:52,380 Speaker 4: I know you're studying business and various things at the moment, 402 00:20:52,440 --> 00:20:55,440 Speaker 4: but our sport isn't going to lose you. Excellent in 403 00:20:55,460 --> 00:20:59,420 Speaker 4: the commentary box, excellent in selling our sport to the world. 404 00:20:59,859 --> 00:21:01,520 Speaker 4: And I know you're going to be at the forefront 405 00:21:01,560 --> 00:21:04,359 Speaker 4: of actually being a part of the generation that helps 406 00:21:04,400 --> 00:21:05,900 Speaker 4: the next one or two come along. 407 00:21:05,940 --> 00:21:09,050 Speaker 3: So Congratulations. Enjoy retirement. 408 00:21:09,090 --> 00:21:10,730 Speaker 4: I know it's not that easy in the first year 409 00:21:10,770 --> 00:21:11,050 Speaker 4: or two. 410 00:21:11,070 --> 00:21:14,689 Speaker 5: No, thanks for having me. And, you know, tennis is 411 00:21:14,770 --> 00:21:18,070 Speaker 5: such a great community. With you, Todd, I was at 412 00:21:18,109 --> 00:21:22,010 Speaker 5: the Tennis Queensland Awards night and it gave me such 413 00:21:22,050 --> 00:21:24,280 Speaker 5: a thrill and it was such an honour to be 414 00:21:24,340 --> 00:21:27,460 Speaker 5: with that community. It's been a very big part of 415 00:21:27,500 --> 00:21:29,820 Speaker 5: my life and hopefully a very big part of my 416 00:21:29,859 --> 00:21:33,220 Speaker 5: life moving forward too. I love the community and thanks 417 00:21:33,240 --> 00:21:34,180 Speaker 5: for making tennis tick. 418 00:21:37,730 --> 00:21:41,310 Speaker 1: So it was great to hear how John obviously thrived 419 00:21:41,350 --> 00:21:43,790 Speaker 1: in an individual sport, but always considered it. 420 00:21:43,890 --> 00:21:44,450 Speaker 3: A team effort. 421 00:21:44,690 --> 00:21:44,970 Speaker 5: Yeah. 422 00:21:45,330 --> 00:21:47,470 Speaker 2: And what a great talker. I think he even alluded 423 00:21:47,490 --> 00:21:49,390 Speaker 2: to that in the chat. You know, I'm never lost 424 00:21:49,410 --> 00:21:51,729 Speaker 2: for words, or he said something like that in the interview. 425 00:21:51,910 --> 00:21:55,580 Speaker 2: And I always love with tennis players when they've had 426 00:21:55,619 --> 00:21:57,540 Speaker 2: time and space to kind of reflect on big career 427 00:21:57,560 --> 00:21:59,399 Speaker 2: moments when they talk about it with some distance and 428 00:21:59,440 --> 00:22:01,560 Speaker 2: years between them. So yeah, when he relived that win 429 00:22:01,600 --> 00:22:04,100 Speaker 2: over Federer and how he got nearly very close again 430 00:22:04,140 --> 00:22:06,660 Speaker 2: at AO and some of his great memories from playing 431 00:22:06,700 --> 00:22:09,590 Speaker 2: Davis Cup. Like he did have a phenomenal career and 432 00:22:09,630 --> 00:22:12,649 Speaker 2: it's an absolute testament to him because he dealt with 433 00:22:12,670 --> 00:22:14,730 Speaker 2: so many injury problems. So it was wonderful to see 434 00:22:14,770 --> 00:22:15,990 Speaker 2: what he ultimately achieved. 435 00:22:16,330 --> 00:22:20,290 Speaker 1: Yeah, he's a very insightful speaker, I would say. So 436 00:22:20,390 --> 00:22:22,070 Speaker 1: I do hope that we hear lots of him over 437 00:22:22,109 --> 00:22:22,870 Speaker 1: the Australian summer. 438 00:22:23,270 --> 00:22:23,770 Speaker 5: Absolutely. 439 00:22:24,250 --> 00:22:26,090 Speaker 2: We'll be back again next Monday when we sit down 440 00:22:26,130 --> 00:22:28,530 Speaker 2: with another guest on The Sit Down. But in the meantime, 441 00:22:28,570 --> 00:22:30,510 Speaker 2: you can listen to John, Bree and the team this 442 00:22:30,570 --> 00:22:32,210 Speaker 2: Thursday on the AO Show Weekly. 443 00:22:32,700 --> 00:22:34,430 Speaker 1: Details for how to contact us are in the show 444 00:22:34,490 --> 00:22:37,970 Speaker 1: notes and please subscribe, rate and review. See you next week, Matt. 445 00:22:38,030 --> 00:22:38,469 Speaker 5: See you then, Viv.