The Mailman Delivered: Thank you John Millman

Yes,  John "The Mailman" Millman has retired from tennis.  Of course everyone would like to retire with a title aka Pete Sampras, but life isn't always like that. It was the body that let him down in the end.  I mean it's just a fact of life the older you get,  the longer it takes to recover. It's a fact in your teens and 20s going out every weekend and having fun that gets more difficult as you get older,  even more so in professional tennis with the travelling,  the surface changes,  speed endurance of the sport grinds you down after a while.  

Millman was never one of the favoured sons of the establishment or junior hotshot like Tomic who peaked at a young age and had everything give to him.  Unlike many of his peers Millman finished school before attempting to make it on the tour.   It definitely wasn't a smooth rise up the rankings as Millman had suffered a lot of injuries especially to the shoulder,  hip,  in addition to managing an ongoing back condition.   For further information about the early days and emerging career please check an older interview I did with the Mailman  John Millman Interview

It could be argued that Tennis Australia did treat Millman's career as an afterthought.  Online there was a big backlash about Millman not getting a wildcard to the main draw of the Australian Open.   This sentiment was shared with the numerous people of different and diverse backgrounds that I spoke with at the venue.   Yes,  that was universally a poor decision,  though at the same time it was very strange he never got a wildcard to Brisbane,  considering how much he promotes the city,  it was his last event and all of that.

Millman was top 40 in the world,  played Davis Cup,  represented Australia at the Olympics and achieved the rare feat of winning 6-0 6-0 at the Tokyo Olympics,  defeated Roger Federer at the US Open and probably should have done it as well at the Aus Open.   You know the Spanish and French federations would make sure their well established veterans would get a main draw wildcard to their final event.

Connection

I had first come across Millman at the Burnie Challenger many years ago.  Yes,  kids it's fun watching Challengers and qualies at Slams,   especially when you see how they develop their careers.   Even the current big guys played at that level once.

This sums up Millman in many ways. In the words of former Spanish player and former TA coach Felix Mantilla.  " When you play like me that you must be running all the day, I don't have the serve of Sampras or the volley of Rafter or the talent of Agassi, you know. I must be very focus every point. I must be strong mentally",  To adapt that for modern times it would be the serve of Isner,  the return of Djokovic or the talent of Federer.

As Millman did not have the natural talents of Federer,  Kyrgios and other players,  he made up for it with work ethic, fighting spirit and doing everything possible to maximise his talents.  Just like our new Aussie Open Jannik Sinner,   Millman was raised by outstanding parents who can be proud of the man he has become.   A great competitor,  resilient after all the injury comebacks,  an outstanding sportsman who has the respect of fans and peers.

Best Wins

Court 3 at Melbourne Park is easily the best show court at the venue and it's not close.  This is where Millman won his first ever 5 set match against the Luxembourg serving machine Gilles Muller.   The fact Millman was hititng with Wayne Arthurs a leftie who could hit a 100 serves off the same balltoss helped him a lot.

Millman was returning well and showing a lot of positive body language.  Millman is stepping into the court getting the balance right between attack and defence. The crowd are loving it and spurring him on. There was the chant “I believe, I believe, I believe he will win” and the Mailman delivered a great victory in the end.  That was the match that put him over with the crowd and developed a connection with them which became Millmania,  as he is relatable and accessible to the average punter . It was the court that he became familiar with and fitting he played his last match there.

                                                The taste of victory

I was very happy that Millman managed to win an ATP title before retirement,  especially after what happened in Budapest.   On the clay Millman had made his first ATP final and potentially was going to play against Seppi in the final.   This was averted by a certain Italian lucky loser Marco Cecchinato who ended up winning the title and beating Djokovic at Roland Garros.

Luckily Millman was able to get another opportunity to win a final in Kazakhstan against Mannarino and was able to do so.  If there was ever an individual to deserve an ATP title it was Millman.

                          Millman winning the title

In terms of ranking the Mailman delivering the feat of beating Roger Federer at the US Open would classify as his biggest win.  I was at work unable to watch the match but following on the scoreboard.   In the final set tiebreaker decided to take an unscheduled break and watch the buster with shit reception.  I was waiting for the confirmation that he had actually won the match, such a great moment.  Of course everyone in the local media wanted to know about John Millman and the parents got bombarded with media requests.    Yes,  the 15 minutes of fame thing.

Yes,  I still hate the 5th set tiebreaker and Millman had 8-4 against Federer to win in Melbourne Park.  It was the classic playing the situation and not point by point and sadly lost the match.   Tennis is such a brual sport,  there are some days you play well and lose,   others you play like a donkey and win.

Closing Time

Millman after he lost in qualies was working for the local commentary and also on a tennis podcast during the Open.  Yes,  he was outstanding in those roles and hope he comes back next year to do them.  Doesn't talk too much during commentary and adding information at the right time.

Now the new chapter begins back in his beloved Brisbane.   Hanging out with the friends, partner,  pets,  watching Liverpool FC and going down the academic route.   You just know that he will do well in whatever direction life takes him.   From the Burnie Challenger,  the injuries,  the comebacks and the other stuff it was an honour to follow his career.

It's not always about the titles and the money.   There are only so few places at the top of the tennis tree.   After some time to reflect, the question for the athlete is did they give themselves the best opportunity to maximise their abilities

On that note the Mailman definitely delivered.

The Prince who became the King: Jannik Sinner welcome to the club

Long time readers of this rather idiosyncratic blog know that the great man Andreas Seppi is known as the King of South Tyrol and  Sinner is the Prince.  Now the coronation has been complete with Jannik Sinner winning the Australian Open and doing it from 2 sets to 0 down in first Slam final joining the likes of Gaston Gaudio to do it.   The first Italian man to win a Slam since Adrian Panatta.

It was not a question of if but when, in relation to Sinner winning major titles.  Sinner has a great temperament and excellent work ethic always willing to build and add new things to his game.   He was easily the best player in event, but that counts for nothing unless you get it done in the final.

You don't start building a house with the roof.   The foundations are so important and the fact Sinner played football in addition to being an outstanding skier has helped his tennis so much.  Leaving his home region to work with Ricardo Piatti in the development years,  the original coach in South Tyrol to the current crew of Vagnozzi and Cahill.

Sinner has brilliant balance, the core strength and the ability to hit huge off both sides makes it harder to get him on the defensive.   As well as tinkering with the serve,  he has added some more muscle and improved his defensive skills.

The fact that Sinner beat Mr Australian Open Djokovic in the semis had many people thinking he would just waltz in the final just needing to turn up and defeat the quirky Danil Medvedev.   The gangly Russian who did well to make the final after coming back from 2 sets down twice to win matches and another 5 setter with Hurkacz.   Medvedev was on fire the first 2 sets being ultra aggressive serving well,  returning from close to the baseline and not making errors.

Sinner did not panic,  he started to improve his first serve percentage which helped him get more free points and gave him opportunities to step into the court and dominate with his groundstrokes.  Medvedev could not keep that level up and Sinner breaking at 5-4 to take the 3rd set changed the momentum.

It was obvious the cumulative fatigue was catching up with Medvedev and naturally in pressure situations players tend to revert to type.   The Russian became more defensive,  though Sinner was hitting with more pace,  penetration and depth.   

Sinner's definitely got the South Tyrolean temperament where he is less volatile than say Fognini and other Italians.   He was able to turn around the match and as he was so much fresher than Medvedev who was clearly gassed in the 4th set,  but still got to be good enough to execute the plan.   The thing that was impressive with Sinner besides coming back from 2 sets down was that he played the match instead of the situation.   What I mean is "hey,  I am in the 5th set and close to winning my first major title"   that's the situation and he played point by point to deservedly win the title.

Personally I am very happy for Sinner as he is a good guy, as well as an outstanding player.  He gave a shout out to his parents and it's obvious that he was raised by good people.  Always respectful,  humble,  dry sense of humour and it's great that he didn't have those parents who are trying to live their dreams through their kid.

It's fantastic to see Italian tennis on the rise.   They have a lot of players,  plenty of places to play tennis,  very passionate and knowledgeable fans.   Italian challenger events get excellent crowds as well as the major events.   

The fact the great man Andreas Seppi from the tennis hotbed of South Tyrol had a very successful career definitely helped inspire Sinner in the early days.   Now the transition from Crown Prince to King is now complete.

The final round up, time to leave the circus

Yes,  this is the end of my Australian Open reports as one most of my players are knocked out and two I have to impersonate an employee this week,  as I can't live off my looks.

It has definitely been a different tournament,  the on court action on the men's side for the most part has been excellent.    There have been a lot of 5 set matches, the majority of them have been enjoyable and not a shit show,  though the shit shows can be entertaining in their own way.

The organisers in their wisdom thought the Sunday start would be a great idea in the guise of reducing the late night finishes,  yes maybe on Rod Laver but as to be expected this was not the case and there were plenty of late finishes.    The fact there was 81 000 on the Sunday with a shit order of play will mean the organisers will do it again as it will bring in more money irrespective of the client experience.

The Good

The Carota Boys coming to Australia for those who don't know they are the Jannik "The Prince"  Sinner cheer squad.  Yes,  Jannik was eating a carrot at a change of ends and then a group of Italian lads wear carrot suits and cheer him on.   Too bad they had to go back to Italy,  but they were cool cats and yes I'd like Sinner to win the event to end the Djokovic reign of terror.

Djokovic embracing the heel role,  when that heckler was giving it to him and asking him to say stuff to his face.   The thing these jabronis don't understand is the more you needle Djokovic the more he likes it.   Yes,  he is one of the greatest ever to play the game and if you don't think that,  then grow grass on a highway.  Indifference or silence would annoy him more and when Mannarino more on him later finally got on the board,  there was some sarcastic cheering from Djokovic.

Adrian Mannarino what a guy,  he's a different cat and dances to his own tune.  I mean if you saw the guy just walking around you would not think he is a professional athlete.   He could hardly win finals and now after 34 he has won more title.   His secret is tequila,  that and an unusual gamestyle which works against these forehand factory bots.    Mannarino is one of those guys who have to watch live and see how impressive he actually is,  moves the ball around very well absorbs pace and creates angles.  The match against Shelton was definitely brains triumphing over brawn.

Cameron Norrie lost a very tough 5 setter against the very likeable Sascha Zverev.   He has never got close before,  but this tournament he has been a lot more aggressive and willing to take the game to the opponents.   As he is one of the fittest men on tour,  he was able to win by a war of attrition.   That can only take you so far.   

Last round win over Casper Ruud was an example of that.   The Norwegian had a lot of chances,  but he saved the break point by using his serve to open up the court especially on the backhand side.  Once he was doing that and seeing the floating returns,  he snuck into the net and put away a lot of volleys.   Against Zverev,  he used a lot of drop shots as the big German loves to be 3m behind the baseline hitting forehands.   Zverev was just too good in the buster.

Other stuff

Jakub Menšík has a big future as long as he stays injury free.   He and Zeppieri should finish the year inside the top 100.

Marinko Matosevic is doing an excellent job as a coach with Chris O'Connell and Jordan Thompson.  Of course it helps being injury free,  but they have finished the last few years inside the top 100.   At the end of the day,  the player has to look at themselves and ask have they maximised their ability.   Too bad Thompson doesn't know the meaning of the word woke.

Yes,   John Millman should have got a wildcard to the main draw instead of McCabe,  but he has been doing an excellent job at commentary and yes there will be a tribute about him.

There are a lot more French fans these days and it's a good thing as they provide a fun atmosphere.  Also there are so many Italian players these days as well.

Court 6 is the equivalent of the party hole in golf.   Building a bar next to a tennis court,  not the greatest idea.   The reasoning behind it is,  to get more fan involvement and other buzzwords.   The thing with tennis being played in a quiet environment,  especially at the elite level they rely a lot on sound coming off their racquet and opponents. The Russian player Pavlyuchenkova was getting meow chants from the gronks in the crowd.  Many people are there to be seen and not give a crap about the tennis.

As you get older certain things change. I mean I am not interested in the same women at 18 as I am at 45.  Progress is good, but like anything there are negatives as well as positives.  The fact the event in many ways become uncomfortable for regular punters,  taking a very long time to get into match courts,  congestion and bigger is not always better.

But on a positive note it is always good to run into people I have not seen in a long time.   Watching matches,  shooting the shit,  people watching and all that good stuff.

So thank you Andrew,  Andre,  Sean,  Peta,  Kristen,   Lance,  Owen,  Tim and Lizia and running to Blaz Kavcic again.

Yes,  I maybe grumpy at times,  but I will be back again next year.

A Day For All Seasons : Round 2

Well today had a bit of everything. There was sun, wind, rain and a variation of this theme until mid afternoon, where there was more on and off that a teenage romance. That's the lot of a tennis player and have to adjust to these things.

Norrie vs. Zeppieri

These were difficult conditions all round.   The young Italian started well with some excellent serving and using his forehand to take advantage of a sluggish start from Kiwi Norrie who has been struggling with some wrist issues.   Two things about Norrie are one that he is ridiculously fit and two that he is a player you have to beat.

Zeppo was playing at a very high level for the first 2 sets and then the delays did impact the momentum of the Italian.  He was not able to dominate as he had previously and Norrie got an early break in the 3rd set.  Once he was able to do that,  Zeppo was unable to find Norrie's backhand often enough to exploit that weaker side.  Norrie,  it depends on who you talk to is either a weaponless pusher,  the solid tradesman who will do an excellent job or someone who has maximised his potential.

Norrie was able to use his greater experience to turn the match around.   He improved his serve with excellent placement to keep Zeppo off balance and frustrated with his own inability to dominate as before.   The Kiwi Brit was just too solid and used his greater experience.

Zeppieri had a good tournament qualifying and winning a match in main draw.   He will learn a lot from this defeat and what it takes to make it as this level.

Davidovich Fokina vs.  Borges

This was an awful performance from Foki.  He was unhappy with his form in the last round thinking he was playing shit.   Tennis is brutal sport,  but at the same time you only have to be better on the day and it's not like ski jumping where you get style points for winning.

Foki up an early break,  then plays a dumb game to get broken back.  In the first set TB he was leading as well but couldn't close out.   Then after that Borges was solid,  absolutely nothing spectacular but effective.

It was difficult to see what was going on out there,  Either there was complacency,  grumpiness and it was a very flat performance.   It's something that Foki needs to achieve the emotional balance,  he's not someone who is going to be an Easter Island moai on court,  but being a raving lunatic does not help here.  Very disappointing result but he did not deserve any better.

Roundup

The run of Hugo Grenier ended in a 4 set loss to Felix Auger-Aliassime.  This was a never in doubt result but happy Grenier got a set and kept the crowd entertained.  This match showed the difference between an elite ATP tour player and a challenger player.   Let's hope the great man Stephane Robert can the best out of Grenier.

As per previous blog Fernando Vicente's summary of Eubanks game was pretty funny and blunt.   The scouting mission worked as Rublev was reading Eubanks serve easily and returning with a lot of interest.  Rublo is no tennis Einstein but he played very well and Eubanks was in no danger of breaking any strings.

My countryman Casper Ruud won a very tough match against Max Purcell in a 5th set tiebreaker.  Purcell is a man who dances to his own tune and the tennis world really needs that.   Yes,  there's the curly mullet,  the moustache,  the junk and the serve volley game which makes a welcome change to the forehand factories that are producing tennis players.  A match like that could do wonders for Ruud and for Purcell if the lessons are learned,

Too bad for the young lad Jakub Menšík who went down in a 5 setter to Hurkacz.  I though the youngster would win,  but a bit of extra experience and fitness got Hubi over the line.  Next year he won't have to worry about qualies barring injuries.

Around the grounds seen the greatest Tasmanian player of the modern times,   Rossignol racquet user and afro Richard Fromberg.  He is just doing the private coaching these days and yes if this blog was around during his days, there'd be a lot of Frommy propaganda.

The great man and Dexter lookalike Blaž Kavčič was also spotted,  he's coaching on the WTA tour these days.   It's definitely a different world for sure.

Today you'd have great value for money with the long matches.  It's 3.15am and Bullshit Russian Medvedev and Emil Ruusuvori into a 5th set.   Huge respect to the fans who have stayed there to the end.

2024 Australian Open : The circus has come to town

Yes,  it has been a while since I have done one of these,  but thankfully there are a couple of people who wanted to read my nonsense related to the event and thank you for that.

Before we get to the matches today,  there are few things that I will point and address now.   Two of my personal favourites as players and as people John Millman and Pablo Cuevas have retired,  they will each get an individual write up after the tournament is over for me.

The organisation have decided to start the event on a Sunday now.  Of course it's a clear money grab,  though there have been some interesting findings of the local government giving the organisation a massive loan that didn't need to repay.   The reasoning behind it was to prevent late finishes and player welfare,  sure you may prevent it on the main courts,  though it won't change on the outside courts.  The fact they had 87K on Sunday means it is here to say,  but an absolute awful customer experience.  There were way too many people for the matches provided and almost impossible to get into courts,  including matches that would normally get their coaches and friends there.

As evidenced on Day 1 with the great man Chris O'Connell defeating Cristian Garin in 5 sets with a great atmosphere and also Diego Galan beating Jason Kubler in 5 sets in 4 hours and 59 minutes.  The Colombian fans are awesome,  always provide a lively atmosphere and the Colombian players are so appreciative,  especially the recently retired Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah.

Another addition next to Court 6 is a bar,  not sure how this is going to work.  Seems like they are trying to take from the party hole idea from LIV golf.  Can imagine some drunk gronks annoying some players,  this could be entertaining in its own way.

Now onto the tennis for the day and there was definitely a lot of variety and drama.

Shelton vs.  Bautista Agut

This match was the classic contrast in styles.   Shelton huge serve,  creativity and a lot of energy vs.  Bautista Agut who is the ultimate professional and plays to well rehearsed patterns.   Both guys are in different parts of their careers,   Shelton is in the early part of his career and RBA in the latter part after a difficult year with injuries and looking to restablish himself on tour.

Bautista Agut is a guy who have play well to beat,  but there comes a time in all players careers where they lose that little step.  This impacts in so many ways, especially if they are not a player who is serve reliant. If they are not as fast, then they won't be able to get into position to maximise their groundstrokes,  will lack depth and get punished by opponents.  The jury is out whether he has reached that stage.

Shelton started off a bit nervously,  but the difference in this match was Shelton's serve.  Bautista Agut had lots of break points and the conversion rate was poor,  though this was due to Shelton saving break points through his own play more so than blown opportunities by RBA,   Shelton loves the big stage and the tennis tour needs more characters.

Davidovich Fokina vs.  Lestienne

Foki does have a reasonable draw this time around and has to take advantage.   He is on the cusp of a big result in a Slam,  then again he could the guy who will provide the great moments but riddled with inconsistency.  Then that's part of the charm,  if I wanted to watch a robot then I'd watch Milos Raonic.

Just outside the court where was a mouse that had been walked on.   Not a huge fan of mice,  but even this one needed to be put out of its misery.

The result was never in doubt.   It was humid today and Foki did have the trainer out early in the 2nd set to check his blood pressure.  After the break,   Foki was able to settle enough to win in 3 sets,  though in his words he was playing shit.  Some days you play shit and win, then vice versa.  Only need to be good enough on the day.

Foki Forehand

Daniel vs.  Eubanks

The great man Taro Daniel who made the Auckland final last week and career high ranking against the very well spoken and big serving American Eubanks.  This was another contrast of styles.

Backing up from doing well the week before the Aus Open is never easy.  The match up on this surface was not good for Daniel,  especially as Eubanks was serving from tree, he did not lose his first point on serve until the 2nd set.

Both guys were holding serve comfortably until Daniel lost the 10th game and the set 6-4.  The warm conditions were helping Eubanks as he was hardly missing first serves and consistently in the 220km/h range.   As he was holding so easily,  he was able to more aggressive on Daniel's service games and after the American took the 1st set,  the momentum express was not stopping.

At one point the great man Fernando Vicente the coach of Andrey Rublev was there too look at the opponents.  His commentary was hilarious about how Eubanks would never break as he doesn't use them a lot in the rallies.   

Daniel was under pressure the whole time and was unable to have long extended rallies as Eubanks was teeing off on the groundstrokes, yes including some backhand winners among the ones that bounced into the next twice.

Daniel was getting visibly pissed off or frustrated depending on your take and unloaded on the coach for not giving him any energy and the like.   In this case it's a question of a bad match up on this surface,  with a huge server got to be able to block returns and create some variety to throw them off their rhythm,  but Daniel doesn't have that in his game.   Eubanks was just too good.

Grenier vs.  Muller

Matches between countrymen always carry a different dynamic and this one was no different.   Grenier now coached by the great man Stephane Robert who qualified for main draw.  His former coach Lisnard is now coaching Muller,  so that had the extra edge.

It's really hard to do this match justice.  Was it the highest quality,  well I would not say that but it was damn entertaining and a clash of styles.   Muller does not have weapons,  just a very consistent player where Grenier has a decent serve and is willing to go for his shots.

Muller was up a set and a break,  then Grenier managed to steal the 2nd set.  Muller's level did not vary too much,  whereas Grenier who is up and down having some issues and goes down 2 sets to 1.  Towards the end of the 4th set Grenier started cramping badly,  could hardly walk and was on the pickle juice.  

Grenier serving big and just slapping the ball was able to break back and Muller did not know how to play in this situation.   Muller had an early break in the 5th set,  but Grenier still cramping and fighting hard was able to get it done in the final set tiebreaker.   As much as I hate final set tiebreakers,  the champions tie break is the least worse option.

The Rest

Tough day for Chilean fans both Jarry and Tabilo losing in 5 sets.   Jarry with his massive serve losing from *5-3 up in the 5th was a surprise.

Young Czech lad Jakub Mensik continues on his winning ways against the formerly overrated Canadian Denis Shapovalov.   Mensik just gets it and for a young lad understands the game very well.   He was impressive in qualies and it's not a surprise that he beat Shapo who is clearly underdone,  but even then the best way to describe the Canadian is all sizzle and no steak.

Jakub Mensik

Big shout out to the agent Corrado who manages both Foki and Struff.   Foki was the second match of the day and at the Struff match which went past midnight.  Struff defeated Hijikata in a champions tiebreak,  he has not done well in Australia as of late.  I think Casper Ruud is happy that Struff isn't in his section of the draw.

On that note,  the circus never stops.