Game, set, degree! John aces Executive MBA at QUT

John started his two-year Executive MBA with the QUT Business School in his home town of Brisbane in January last year – just one day after playing his last Australian Open match in Melbourne.

On Saturday, he attended his QUT graduation ceremony at The Star with his proud wife and mum cheering him on from the audience.

He is the third member of his family to graduate from the same uni, following in the footsteps of his sisters who studied nursing and business.

A two-time Olympian who competed at the Rio and Tokyo Games, John spent 14 years travelling the globe as an elite player and reached a career-high world ranking of 33.

He studied at QUT as the inaugural recipient of the QUT MBA and Executive MBA Scholarship for Paralympians and Olympians, which helps elite athletes identify new career paths and gain new skills and credentials to help equip them for life after sport.

For John, who famously toppled Roger Federer at the 2018 US Open, the transition from elite sport to academia was swift and deliberate.

“I played my last match at the Australian Open and got on a flight to Brisbane very early the next day and started my MBA on campus that morning,” he recalls.

“So it was less than 12 hours from playing my last singles match to being in class at orientation.

“But I knew I was really going to struggle if I didn't do something else straight away.

“It was a daunting prospect to think about, you know – I was a tennis player, now what am I meant to do?

“So my strategy was to start the MBA immediately.

“Initially, it was a shock to the system. You can’t prepare for study after playing on the tour.

“Having said that you adapt quickly, you fast realise the expectations and requirements for the course and you find the rhythm.

“It also helps doing the EMBA with a cohort. You form real connections with some of the people and that helps you get through the difficult moments.”

John had already built strong corporate partnerships prior to starting at QUT, and combined his studies over the past two years with freelance media work and consultancy.

One of things he learnt about himself during his Executive MBA was that he may be destined to travel more of an entrepreneurial path than a career in administration.

“I have been doing a lot of television commentary and consultancy in the tennis performance space, but I think originally I thought that this EMBA would solidify my belief that I belonged in the sports administration space,” he said.

“Now, I’m not too sure. I have enjoyed working for myself. I really enjoyed the entrepreneurial subjects in the EMBA and would like to explore this a little more.”

John said he had a mix of feelings now that graduation was finally here.

“I would say the two main ones are that of relief – that I managed to get through my EMBA to a standard I am satisfied with – and that of pride,” he said.

“Studying was a huge change from playing tennis, and one that took me out of my comfort zone. I am proud that I stuck to the process and got through.”

He said, looking back, the highlight of his two years at university had been the opportunity to take part in a two-week study tour with his tight-knit EMBA cohort to the USA and the renowned MIT Sloan School of Management.

“The study tour to MIT was a once in a lifetime experience,” he said.

“I also think the times during my EMBA where I could apply scenarios that I have lived and experienced really resonated with QUT’s motto (as the university for the real world).”

John said he would encourage other athletes to consider university and programs like the EMBA after they retired from competition.

“The journey is a fulfilling one, that has its difficulties – but with the help of QUT staff, facilitators and your cohort, it’s a journey I recommend you travel,” he said.

QUT Media contacts:
- Mechelle McMahon, media@qut.edu.au
- After hours, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au