Roger Federer’s 2018 season marked the last year he would lift a Grand Slam title, having emerged victorious in the Australian Open final against Marin Cilic.
Federer tore through the draw in Melbourne that year, advancing to the championship match without dropping a set, before finally clinching his 20th major crown, a record that would last until 2020.
After opting to skip the entire clay-court season, the Swiss legend then looked to defend his title at Wimbledon, but lost to Kevin Anderson in the quarterfinals.
Heading into the US Open that year, Federer was aiming to win the championship at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2008, but would go on to suffer an enormous upset.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty ImagesRoger Federer’s shocking defeat at the US Open in 2018
He won his first two matches in New York comfortably, earning straight-set victories over Yoshihito Nishioka and Benoit Paire.
In the third round, Federer met 30th seed Nick Kyrgios and picked up a fifth straight win over the Australian on Arthur Ashe Stadium.
His fourth round opponent came in the form of Kyrgios’ unseeded compatriot, John Millman, who, on paper, should have been a much easier test.
Federer took the first set against Millman 6-3, and appeared to be well on his way to a fourth consecutive quarterfinal at the US Open.
The Brisbane-born star refused to roll over, however, and in one of the biggest shocks in the tournament’s history, fought back to take the next three sets and win the match.
It was the biggest result of Millman’s career, who had never beaten a top ten player prior to his clash with Federer.
Unfortunately for the former world number 33, he went on to lose in straight sets to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the last eight.
Photo by Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty ImagesJohn Millman’s results at Grand Slams after the 2018 US Open
After Millman’s quarterfinal exit to Djokovic, he struggled to emulate his 2018 US Open performance at future Grand Slams.
In 2019 and 2020, his best results were third-round finishes at Wimbledon and the Australian Open, and in 2021, he failed to make it past the first round at any major.
YearBest Major Result2019Third Round (Wimbledon)2020Third Round (Roland Garros)2021First Round (Australian Open, Wimbledon, US Open)2022Second Round (Australian Open)2023Second Round (Australian Open)John Millman’s results at Grand Slams after 2018
Following more disappointing results in 2022, Millman appeared in the main draw of a Grand Slam for the last time in 2023, making it to the second round again at his home major.
In 2024, he retired from tennis after failing to qualify for the Australian Open for the first time since 2012.