John Millman will play the US Open despite COVID concerns

The US Open is the scene of John Millman’s biggest success but the experience at Flushing Meadows in 2020 will be far different.

John Millman is heading back to New York for the US Open. Picture: Lachie Millard

In Brisbane on Friday, John Millman hugged his loved ones goodbye and boarded an outbound flight to an uncertain future.

The destination, at least, is a familiar and favourite one — New York is the scene of his ­greatest success.

It is now two years since he ­defeated Roger Federer on the way to a US Open quarter-final appearance against Novak ­Djokovic, who subsequently went on to win the title.

Last year he played eventual champion Rafael Nadal at ­Arthur Ashe Stadium in the ­opening round.

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To tackle three legends back-to-back-to-back on the biggest court in the world in terms of ­attendance is an experience few, if any, can match. But everything else about ­Millman’s journey is a step into the unknown.

It is a trip filled with trepidation given the pandemic and one the Queenslander, who fell just shy of beating Federer again in a thriller at the Australian Open in January, considered very carefully before committing to.

Compatriots Ash Barty, Nick Kyrgios and Alexei Popyrin are among those who will miss a US Open that will occur behind closed doors.

The decision of Canadian Bianca Andreescu to withdraw on Friday means the US Open will be without either of its defending champions for the first time since 2003, after Rafael Nadal pulled out earlier in August.

Had Millman been younger or more financially secure, or not deprived of several seasons of his career due to injury, he ­probably would have opted against travelling.

And he is not alone. Those ranked outside the top 100 or so are in an even more precarious position given the pandemic in a sport where the unfathomable riches at the top fail to trickle far down the ranks. Doubles specialist Matt Reid told The New Yorker he had turned to working as a stone mason and driving a forklift at a quarry managed by his brother through the shutdown. Chris O’Connell, who sits just outside the top 100 after a stellar 2019, registered at Centrelink looking for work. Others have picked up some coaching to help earn a crust.

Millman, who spent time working in finance while sidelined by injury a few years ago, is aware the clock is ticking on his career.

Career earnings of $5 million may seem extraordinary but the cash is whittled away quickly as players cover expenses including travel, accommodation, medical costs and the wages of those ­working in their team.

“I have seen others pull out and I can understand their decisions, but everyone has to weigh up the pros and cons and there are definitely pros and cons to both sides,” Millman told The Weekend Australian. “I am not thrilled at the idea of travelling. My safety and my health is potentially being compromised. But I am 31 years old and I also need to make a living right now.

“Like a lot of other Australians right now, I need to get out and work and, despite being in a compromised position, this my work and that is what it involves and that is probably what I weighed up when I decided to play.”

So much has changed since the right-hander last boarded an international flight home from Indian Wells in March when the tour was suspended indefinitely. On that flight, he wore a mask for the first time and was surprised when a flight attendant made a smart-alec remark about their safety, but coronavirus had not yet wreaked havoc on either the US or Australia.

Now the world No 43 will wear one every day for the next six weeks at least, aside from when he is on a court or in his hotel room.

Millman is a seasoned traveller, but everything about this trip is different.