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John Millman of Australia celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles third round match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day five of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
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John Millman of Australia celebrates after winning a point during his Men’s Singles third round match against Roger Federer of Switzerland on day five of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 24, 2020 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
While news of the postponement of the French Open 2021 has disappointed fans, even players aren’t thrilled with the sudden decision. What is also becoming problematic for them is the reduction in the prize money. After American tennis player Steve Johnson expressed his anger on the issue, John Millman took it upon himself to explain the thought process behind it.
After learning about the changes in the Roland Garros schedule and reduction of prize money, former World No.21 Steve Johnson took to Twitter to ask why ATP wasn’t allowing Indian Wells Masters 2021 to pay players without any reduction. He even raised doubts that the ATP is making profits from such reductions.
but can’t get approval because other tournament directors are @ATPTOUR Board members and they want to benefit from these reductions?
— Steve Johnson (@SJohnson_89) April 12, 2021
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In response, Australian tennis player John Millman claimed that the ATP has nothing to do with the denial of Indian Wells Masters’ proposal. He explained that the tournament didn’t get approval because the organizers weren’t flexible about the scheduling of the event.
“Mate, they didn’t get approval initially because they weren’t flexible with when they wanted to have the event. Options were given with available weeks. They didn’t want any of them, wanted one specific week,” said Millman.
Mate they didn’t get approval initially because they weren’t flexible with when they wanted to have the event. Options were given with available weeks, they didn’t want any of them, wanted one specific week.. https://t.co/a23dJW1bnR
— John Millman (@johnhmillman) April 13, 2021
“Simply untrue”- John Millman on the claims made by Steve Johnson
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John Millman of Australia celebrates winning his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada during day three of the 2020 ATP Cup Group Stage at Pat Rafter Arena on January 05, 2020, in Brisbane, Australia. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
Millman highlighted that the schedule of many other tournaments would have been disrupted because of the BNP Paribas Open. He also put aside all the claims of Johnson and called them ‘untrue’.
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Multiple tournaments were going to be disrupted with their spot that they had locked in for years.. to suggest that they aren’t getting approval because of board members wanting to benefit from prizemoney reductions (due to covid) is simply untrue..
— John Millman (@johnhmillman) April 13, 2021
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John Millman is currently playing at the
Monte Carlo Masters 2021. He’ll next face Cristian Garin in the second round of the tournament.Also Read: “Death Threats Are Indeed an Everyday Occurrence” – John Millman Voices Against Cyber-Bullying in Tennis