'Spanner in the works' - Millman requests court change against Federer

John Millman is prepared to do anything to get an edge over Roger Federer, and that includes cheekily requesting ir crunch Australian Open third-round match is played on a court or than Rod Laver Arena. Befitting his status, Swiss master, making 21st appearance at Melbourne Park, almost always plays on centre court where he has won six titles, and Millman is keen to disrupt his momentum.

"More so just to throw a spanner in works for Roger," said Australian, who memorably beat Federer over four gruelling sets at US Open in 2018.

"I don't kw if he kws or courts. He hits on outside ones, but he hasn't played too many. I don't kw if he would have played too many matches on outside ones." 

Federer insisted he'll play third-round match wherever he's told to.

"Look, I don't choose which court I play on," said 38-year-old.

"You would think a match like this should be played at Rod Laver Arena maybe.

"He kws Margaret Court Arena better, Melbourne Arena. But I haven't thought of it. I figure this was always going to be on Rod Laver Arena. I'm rey to go anywhere, whatever it takes." 

Millman, who mitted organisers would almost certainly t take his request seriously, said he felt courts or than Rod Laver h better crowd support for him. "Obviously matches I played (so far), probably two really special courts, Show Court 3 and Melbourne Arena, are torious for crowd support you get re, vocal Aussies," he said.= "I very much consider myself, and I think people who kw me, kw that I'm just your typical Aussie bloke. So I'm one of people. people get ground passes and people go to those courts." Millman, whose defeat of Federer at Flushing Meow was biggest of his career, has never gone beyond Australian Open third round.

In contrast, Federer has me semi-finals or better 14 times. But he remains wary of Australian after his US Open upset, where he struggled in hot conditions. "I think it was a combination of many things that went wrong for me on that day, plus opponent was rey and tough as nails," he said of Millman. "I tried everything in match itself. It was just t meant to be that day. I hit wall."