“We need that money” John Millman looking to play at the US Open despite safety concerns
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Australian tennis player John Millman has expressed his concerns about travelling to New York for the US Open but the Australian tennis star says he needs to start earning a living by playing again.
The ATP and WTA tours are on the brink of resumption after the tennis season was shut down by the coronavirus pandemic in March.
In an interview with the Sydney Morning Herald, the World No.43 confirmed he was planning to travel to the United States.
He also said he was hopeful there might be some more stringent fines in place for players who breach the rules that are put in place.
“My situation is slightly different to Ash, need to start earning a living” – Millman
Australia’s leading player and women’s World No.1 Ashleigh Barty, has already confirmed she’ll skip the US Open due to the “significant risks” of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Millman, however, wants to resume playing as soon as possible although he has concerns for his safety.
“I definitely have my safety concerns and potentially there are a few more questions I’d like to be answered because a couple of the tennis players have shown they can’t really be trusted with a bit of their behaviour,” he said.
“Look, my situation is probably slightly different to Ash. I probably need to start earning a living again, to be honest with you. I respect the decision that Ash made and it’s something that I’ve contemplated a lot, too. [But] tennis is an individual sport and we’re our own private contractors pretty much.”
Need bigger sanctions and fines for players who flaunt rules
The USTA have said that the full details of the health and safety plan would be released closer to the start of the tournament which is still expected to go ahead as scheduled (August 31-September 13)
Millman said any players and their entourages should do the right thing and not flaunt any rules during their stay in New York.
“There’s going to be a lot of trust between players’ groups there, for people to do the right thing,” he said.
“I’m probably a little bit more hesitant just based on what we’ve seen the last few months, you know, with the goings-on of a few of the players.“
“Hopefully some bigger sanctions, some bigger fines can be put into place for anyone breaching the safety of others because that’s the most important thing.“
“It’s unchartered territory for a lot of people. The USTA, who are in charge of the US Open, they’re almost the guinea pigs. I’m sure they’re going to be trying their utmost to provide [a] safe environment.“
“Obviously it’s a little worrying when you look at the state that the United States is in, in their response to COVID.”
Also Read: Nick Kyrgios withdraws from the US Open, takes a dig at Djokovic and Zverev
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