For someone who gets trolled on social media simply for the way he eats a banana, not much seems to faze former US Open quarter-finalist John Millman.
But the jovial tennis journeyman admitted he was kicking stones over his last performance for Australia.
Called up as a last-minute replacement for an injured Nick Kyrgios, Millman lost a crunch singles rubber as Australia were bounced out of the Davis Cup quarter-finals 2-1 by Canada in November in Spain.
No wonder he savoured a shot at redemption on Sunday in the ATP Cup in hometown Brisbane.
Again called up to replace Kyrgios (back) for Australia at the final moment against Canada, Millman this time stood tall to thrash world No.21 Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-4 6-2 and spark a 3-0 whitewash for the hosts.
“I did step up because it was really tough in Davis Cup when I got that loss,” the 30-year-old Millman said.
“I took that loss pretty hard and it ate at me throughout the pre-season.
“I thought about that a lot and I was on holiday and I didn’t enjoy my holiday too much because I was probably thinking about that.
“So I’m really glad, I feel like it was a missed opportunity in Madrid but feel somewhat just a slight bit vindicated with my performance.”
World No.48 Millman is not expected to feature again for Australia at the 24-team ATP Cup with Krygios tipped to return.
But the happy-go-lucky Millman reckons he has no complaints.
Well, maybe one.
Millman won plenty of admirers when he upset 20-time grand-slam winner Roger Federer in his famous 2018 US Open fourth-round victory.
However, it seems not everyone is a fan.
Millman revealed he copped social media flack for the way he had eaten one of his favourite on-court treats.
“Being from Queensland, I love my bananas, obviously, but I’ve been criticised about how I eat them,” Millman laughed.
“I’m a nibbler. I guess I don’t like massive chunks, you know.
“But there’s a video (on social media) … where someone who was poking fun at me, but that’s the Aussie way, isn’t it?
“A good bit of banter. If that’s one of my worst traits, then I can live with that.”
