Millman: Players can set precedent for tennis’ future

Australian tennis star John Millman says elite players have the chance to set a precedent for the sport’s immediate future at next month’s US Open.

• Tennis star’s burning drive helps fire up Far North juniors
• Americans angered by Ash Barty’s US Open withdrawal

Australian tennis star John Millman says elite players have the chance to set a precedent for the sport’s immediate future at next month’s US Open.

While World No. 1 Ash Barty has decided not to take part in the upcoming tournament, Millman said it was vital for him to participate for financial reasons.

He said the tournament would be an opportunity for the players to prove that they could do the right thing, for the good of the game.

> HOW $2.7M UPGRADE WILL BOOST TENNIS IN CAIRNS

The Cairns International Tennis Centre has officially reopened with a roof now covering centre court. John Millman has a hitout on centre court with Cairns tennis juniors. PICTURE: BRENDAN RADKE

> ‘WE CAN NEVER RECOVER LIVES LOST’: KYRGIOS SLAMS SELFISH PLAYERS

“It will be tricky but I think it’s going to present a real opportunity to see how (tennis) is going to function at an international level and on an international stage,” he said.

“I think everyone’s praying that it goes smoothly.

“I think if we can show, as tennis players, that we can stick to some pretty strict protocol — which, I’ll put my hand up and say I can, but some others have probably proven they can’t — it will give a lot of confidence to other sporting federations and tennis federations moving forward.

“Hopefully the players can show a bit of maturity, do what they need to do there and hopefully the tournament can run as successfully as possible.”

Millman said he was confident in the future of tennis in Australia, despite the uncertainty of the impact of the coronavirus.

“I think tennis is one of those sports that’s in a really good way because you are able to maintain some pretty good social distancing,” he said.

> PICTURE TRIGGERS TENNIS STAR WAG FEUD

“Obviously, for myself, it’s trickier on the international stage, due to all the international travel, but I think the real message here is that tennis is one of the few sports that people can feel pretty comfortable coming out, grabbing a racket and getting on the court, and being able to do it under safe circumstances.”

Originally published as Millman: Players can set precedent for tennis’ future