Rio Olympics 2016: John Millman to represent Australia in Tennis at Games

THE “nice guy” of Australian tennis will represent his country at the Rio Olympics after Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic pulled out.

John Millman of Australia celebrates during the Men's Singles match against Benoit Pare of France on day four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships. The Anglican Church Grammar School Old Boy has been selected to represent Australia in tennis at the Rio Olympics. Picture: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

FROM  sleeping on floors while on the pro tennis tour to being selected for the Rio Olympic Games, John Millman is the definition of persistence.

As the Queenslander prepares for the Games, the reality of being on the Olympic team is still sinking in.

“I certainly dreamt of it as a child, but probably never quite believed it,” he said.

“For me it’s a great achievement being there and representing my friends, family and country.

“I hope that I can be someone that represents our wonderful country in the best possible way on the biggest stage in sport.”

John Millman says playing at the Olympics is a lifetime dream. Picture: Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images

The 27-year-old turned pro in 2007, a year after completing high school at Anglican Church Grammar School in East Brisbane.

He said his career has had its ups, but also its fair share of downs.

“Two shoulder surgeries had me having ... a year out of competition each,” he said.

“The biggest one being in 2013 where I tore my labrum in my shoulder in Munich.

“I had to start with no ranking again in August 2014.”

Millman said money restraints has been a challenge as well.

“The tour is heavily funded at the top level but on the futures and challengers, circuit prizemoney hasn’t increased in four decades,” he said.

“I had to play lots of club tennis matches and live very basic, sleeping on floors and not eating properly to survive on the development tour.”

Leading up to the Olympic team selection, Millman said he was consumed by the idea of getting his ranking as high as possible.

“I was awaiting ITF ruling as I had never been selected to play Davis Cup, which was a rule that could be argued if you had been available to play,” he said.

“I found out I was selected twenty minutes before going on court for my second round at Wimbledon. It was a great feeling.”

Millman said he drew his inspiration from many people, including his parents.

“My parents are the hardest-working people I know,” he said.

“They worked four or five jobs between them to put myself and sisters through private school.”

Millman said he hoped his journey would inspire developing athletes to never give up their dreams.

“I’m someone that probably many doubted could reach the level I did,” he said.

“I think that regardless of what level you reach in your desired sport, you don’t want to be asking yourself what could have been. Leave no stone unturned and you will have no regrets, whatever level you reached.”

Millman is playing tournaments in Washington and Toronto before he heads of to Rio to train for a week.