{"id":297012,"date":"2023-11-12T10:24:02","date_gmt":"2023-11-12T10:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/?p=297012"},"modified":"2023-11-12T10:24:02","modified_gmt":"2023-11-12T10:24:02","slug":"rafael-nadal-will-hope-not-to-draw-world-no-436-john-millman-at-australian-open","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports-life-news.com\/tennis\/rafael-nadal-will-hope-not-to-draw-world-no-436-john-millman-at-australian-open\/","title":{"rendered":"Rafael Nadal will hope not to draw World No 436 John Millman at Australian Open"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

Rafael Nadal set for 2024 farewell after pulling out of French Open<\/h3>\n

Rafael Nadal will be desperate to avoid being pitted against John Millman at next year’s Australian Open despite the latter being ranked outside the world’s top 400. Nadal has been sidelined for a long time due to an injury he picked up at the last edition of the tournament, when he was dumped out in the second round by Mackenzie McDonald.<\/p>\n

Nadal is set to retire at the end of next year, which means that his next appearance at the Australian Open is almost certain to be his last. The same goes for Millman, who is hoping to go out with a bang at his home Grand Slam before putting an end to his 18-year professional career.<\/p>\n

Millman announced his decision to retire earlier this week, telling Channel Nine<\/em>: “I\u2019m happy to have been able to live out a dream of mine, which was to play professional tennis. It\u2019s been an absolute thrill, I\u2019ve had some really special moments on court.<\/p>\n

“[The Australian Open is] the reason why I\u2019m on court slugging away and playing through the pain, to hopefully get a couple of matches over the summer for [the home fans] to cheer me on and hopefully make them proud.”<\/p>\n

JUST IN: <\/strong> Djokovic and Alcaraz discover ATP Finals group in ‘best line-up in years’<\/strong><\/p>\n

A meeting with Millman could represent a potential banana skin for Nadal, who would need to perform at his best with the crowd firmly in his opponent’s corner. Millman has a poor record against top players but would certainly be buoyed by the extra support from the stands if he ends up facing Nadal in Melbourne next year.<\/p>\n

The Spanish legend will be hoping to avoid any slip-ups over the course of the tournament as he looks to win at least one more Grand Slam before his eventual retirement. He recently played down expectations when quizzed on the possibility of further silverware, with his long-term injury problems making it difficult for him to compete at the highest level again.<\/p>\n