Beaten but not broken, John Millman said he wouldn’t trade being pummelled by Rafael Nadal on one of tennis’s grandest stages for anything in the world.

“I’ve still got a story. Definitely a good story,” Millman said after succumbing 6-3 6-2 6-2 to the 18-times major winner in the US Open first round.

And that he does.

Millman can tell his grandkids one day that he was the first – and possibly only – player to face all-time greats Nadal, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in consecutive matches at the same major tournament, albeit over two years.

The affable Australian famously took down Federer in the fourth round last year before making Djokovic fight for his quarter-final victory en route to the title.

“How lucky am I with my career? I’ve played all the big guys on the biggest courts in the world,” said Millman, who has also jousted with Andy Murray on Wimbledon’s hallowed centre court.

“That’s what happens sometimes when you get a few dud draws, but you don’t really remember the first or second rounds against guys who might not be at that calibre.

“But you do remember those ones for sure and they’re the ones people want to ask questions about and want to know about.”

Millman may not want to talk too much about his third foray to Arthur Ashe Stadium after Nadal was near his brutal best in conceding just seven games to the 30-year-old underdog.

“It’s tough. Relentless. It is relentless abuse,” Millman said when asked what it was like confronting the mighty Spaniard in full flight.

“It is like a boxing match where you are getting hit again and again and there is no let up.

“There was a moment there where I just wanted to get on the scoreboard in the third set. When you are down four-love against Nadal, you’re in a bit of trouble.”

The sobering defeat left Millman facing a rankings drop to about 90th in the world after failing to defending his 2018 quarter-final points.

He will need to remain in the top 100 until season’s end to avoid needing to ask for a wildcard into the 2020 Australian Open, or contest qualifying for his home slam.