Add CategoryAn Aussie ex tennis pro who beat Roger Federer in a dazzling US Open upset is still landing six digit paydays off court, securing $250,000 in his latest deal.
Brisbane-based John Millman battled it out for 14 years on the ATP Tour – using around $8m (US$5.47m) in tour winnings and more in endorsements to set himself up for retirement through real estate.
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John Millman loses his footing after returning a shot to Roger Federer during the fourth round of the US Open tennis tournament in New York in 2018. Picture: AP Photo/Jason DeCrow.
Roger Federer and John Millman during their US Open meeting. Picture: Mega/AFP
John Millman, with Diego a Kelpie cross 2 years old, available for adoption via the RSPCA pictured ahead of the Million Paws Walk. Picture: Steve Pohlner
Mr Millman invested around $4.6m into property across Brisbane, the first of which was the two bedroom Clayfield unit bought for $532,000 in early 2018 – the year he beat Mr Federer.
Now about six months after retiring in January, he’s sold one of his four Brisbane properties, securing a $250,000 gain to tide him over.
Mr Millman had the unit up for rent from 2019 at $490/week and owned it for about six years before selling for $785,000.
Millman’s two bedroom unit was this complex.
He also owns a three bed apartment in Norman Park with amazing city skyline views.
It’s a fortune compared to his teen years as a professional tennis player, according to his tour recollections. “I remember playing in Spain when I was 18 or 19 and I had to win four qualifying matches to get about 80 euros. When you think back about that journey and to get to the top end, it’s pretty special”.
“When it’s all said and done, I know I wasn’t necessarily the most talented player but I hope people enjoyed the journey and saw that I left it all out there.”
He bought this four bedroom Hawthorne house in 2020.
He added this Norman Park house to his portfolio off his US Open winnings in 2018.
He’d won $662,000 off the US Open alone after beating Mr Federer in a three and half-hour game, going on to say he’d put the winnings towards more property – and some towards a holiday for his parents.
Two months later he bought a four-bedroom house in Norman Park for about $1.23m, then another in nearby Hawthorne for $1.125m in 2020, and then a three bedroom top floor apartment for $1.725m in 2022, according to property records.