"The odds before even walking onto the court are stacked against the underdog" believes Millman due to unequal treatment for seeds and non seeds

During most tournaments, there is the belief that seeded players are given unfair advantages over their unseeded opponents, at least according to Australian tennis veteran John Millman.

The 33-year old has been stuck outside the top 100 in rankings for the bulk of his career, which has led to him facing higher-seeded players in most of his matches. Although he initially relied on his father's advice of "You start off at 0-0" when facing a top seed, Millman soon realized the odds would always be stacked against him.

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"When I got older and my tennis became more serious I’d lean on his [father's] advice, especially when up against a top seed," wrote Millman in an article for news.com.au. "He taught me three things that became my mantra. You start off at 0-0. Don’t play the reputation, play the man. And never leave a fight.

"Graduating onto the ATP Tour I learnt a fourth lesson. He was wrong about lesson one,. You don’t start at 0-0. By having unequal opportunities in tournament preparations, the odds before even walking onto the court are stacked against the underdog – for more reasons than most realize."

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Millman revealed that higher seeded players get to practice on the courts first, which helps them get used to the court conditions.

"The most significant advantage a seeded player will receive is practice court allocation," he added.. "Often at tournaments these players are allowed to book practice courts before anyone else, sometimes for two or three hours alone at a time.

"Not only is this advantageous to have the time on a match court but being able to knock out their practice continuously allows them to begin their recovery earlier. Get in and get out."

John Millman

@johnhmillman

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My latest opinion piece. Time to get around the underdog?

news.com.au

@newscomauHQ

Aussie tennis veteran @johnhmillman has exposed a secret about the professional tennis world that very few fans truly realise. news.com.au/sport/tennis/p…

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