John Millman challenged to prove he really is mates with Australian Open star Alex de Minaur on TV

Australian tennis stars John Millman and Alex de Minaur have a strong bromance nurtured over years on the ATP Tour, and now that friendship has been put to the test on live television.

De Minaur was advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open and will face nine-time champion Novak Djokovic, while Millman lost in the second round to two-time finalist Daniil Medvedev.

Milman joined the channel 9 panel to discuss the Open with presenter Tony Jones and tennis greats Alicia Molik and Todd Woodbridge when Jones thought it would be a great idea for the Australian star to call his partner from Minaur live.

‘Now we want to test you, do you say that you are a very good match with him?’ she asked.

“I think so,” Millman replied.

‘Are you on speed dial on your phone?’ Jones asked.

“Um, I have his number, but he didn’t answer me yesterday,” Millman replied.

“Try it, see if it works,” Jones replied.

Millman was reluctant for a moment, saying ‘nah, nah’, but even then he was reaching into his pocket for his phone.

“I can guarantee you he’s not going to respond because he might have more important things to worry about today,” Millman said.

However, to the surprise of the panel, de Minaur responded immediately.

‘Hey, here it is. Look, we’re on set today, Alex, and we just want to wish you the best of luck, dude,” Millman said.

‘You’re watching?’

Then, to the surprise of the panel, de Minaur revealed that he was watching his good partner live on television.

“You look great on TV, I love the way you did your hair this morning,” she said.

Former Australian player Alicia Molik turned the conversation towards Monday night’s Round of 16 showdown against Novak Djokovic.

“Any words for Novak, Alex?” she asked.

De Minaur’s response was inaudible, but he later credited Millman for teaching him how to play against the Serbian champion.

“It’s going to be fun and Johnny told me how to play it,” de Minaur said.

“I’m 0-4 against him, so take what I say with a grain of salt, mate,” Millman laughed.

Australian team members Millman, Lleyton Hewitt and de Minaur pose in front of the old scoreboard at Adelaide Oval ahead of a Davis Cup qualifying tie

De Minaur and Millman are best friends and both represent Australia in the Davis Cup, cheering each other on and giving each other lots of hugs.

It is not the first time that Millman has jokingly interrogated his Australian teammate.

Previously, on an episode of ATP Uncovered, Millman discussed everything from De Minaur’s dance moves to his driving skills.

In a hilarious interview, Millman asked if De Minaur finally got his driver’s license.

“First of all, I want to know how you managed to do that because from what I’ve heard I think you’re a pretty average driver,” he asked.

‘I would like to inform you that I am a very good driver, okay? Six days driving and I still haven’t crashed,” de Miñaur replied.

Millman went on to expose de Minaur’s secret dance skills, which were recently revealed at his hilarious Davis Cup initiation ceremony.

“I’ve seen it firsthand, you’re definitely one of the best dancers on tour and it’s not even a debate,” Millman said.

De Minaur then challenges Millman to show him his signature dance move, and his Australian partner proceeds to unleash the classic sprinkler.

“You have to put more energy into it,” de Minaur laughed.