SEQ 2032: Hometown hero John Millman backs Olympic bid

Fresh from his triumph in the ATP Cup, hometown hero John Millman has revealed what he wants next for Brisbane, the “greatest city” in the world.

TENNIS star and proud Queenslander John Millman says the “greatest city” in the world should host the 2032 Olympics.

Millman, whose scalps include the great Roger Federer, has backed the Brisbane-led Queensland bid for the Olympics in 12 years’ time.

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“We saw what World Expo did to our city in 1988 – it opened up doors,” said Millman, who was the hometown hero for Australia’s team at the ATP Cup in Brisbane yesterday.

“It’s time for us to get the greatest sporting event in the world, in what I think is the greatest city.

“We’re ready to get ourselves on the map.

“We’ve got great weather here, from a Queensland point of view, it’s only going to improve the infrastructure around the place.

“There’s going to be some great investment into the city itself even before the Olympics get here.”

Millman said it was a career highlight to represent Australia at the 2016 Olympics in Rio.

“I grew up watching the Olympics and one of the best moments I’ve ever had in my career was representing my country at the Rio Olympic Games,” he said.

Brisbane-bred John Millman celebrates has win over Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada on day three of the ATP Cup tennis tournament at Pat Rafter Arena yesterday. Picture: Darren England/AAP

“It was something special to walk into the stadium behind Anna Meares and the Australian flag flying – it was real goosebumps type of stuff.

“I remember the joy I had as a kid, waking up and watching the Olympic Games on television, and for that to become a reality when I got there was something really special.”

Other tennis stars, including Germany’s Angelique Kerber, also threw their weight behind Brisbane’s bid.

“The city, it’s amazing,” said Kerber, who won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympics.

“I like the venue (Queensland Tennis Centre), the courts, and the fans here, they are amazing.”

Rising Canadian star Denis Shapovalov said Brisbane was an “unbelievable” city.

“I love the vibe, and I feel like the fans are spectacular,” Shapovalov said.

“It would be an unbelievable place to host the Olympics. The fans are real sports fans and it’s such a lively city.”

Originally published as SEQ 2032: Hometown hero John Millman backs Olympic bid