John Millman hits back at Steve Johnson’s ‘untrue’ accusations against ATP

John Millman has defended the ATP Board against accusations from fellow professional player Steve Johnson, who believes officials are putting their own interests ahead of the sport.
World No 85 Johnson took to Twitter to criticise the ATP for “hurting the sport” after “Roland Garros once again unilaterally decides to change the date of their event, disrupting the calendar to accommodate themselves without respect for the consequences and impact it has on the rest of tennis”.
His tweet came on the back of the ATP, WTA and Grand Slam Boards backing French Open organisers’ decision to delay the clay-court major by one week due to the coronavirus restrictions in France, with the main draw now running from May 30 until June 13.
@Rolandgarros once again unilaterally decides to change the date of their event, disrupting the calendar to accommodate themselves without respect for the consequences and impact it has on the rest of tennis.
— Steve Johnson (@SJohnson_89) April 12, 2021
Johnson also expressed his frustration at the big reduction on prize money due to Covid-19 as some tournaments have dropped overall prize money by 60%, which the American condemned as he believes the Indian Wells Masters, which was cancelled for a second straight year due to Covid-19, was offering full prize money.
“‘We’ players are always told @ATPTOUR is such a great system cause we are “equal partners” Well, what type of system allows Masters 1000 events to pay 60% less when @bnpparibasopen is trying to host their event at 100%,” he wrote.
However, Australian Millman hit back by revealling that the Indian Wells Masters organisers were not “flexible” in terms of their dates, hence the tournament was cancelled.
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
He Tweeted: “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.
“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.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
WTA Tour
Alycia Parks instantly fell in love with tennis as a seven year old
Alycia Parks took up tennis by complete chance.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas sees opportunity to improve in Netflix series
Stefanos Tsitsipas likes to do things differently.
-
Tennis News
Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas reignite feud after ‘clown’ comment
Tsitsipas made comments about Aussie maverick Kyrgios as he spoke to the media while playing for Greece in the Davis Cup.
-
WTA Tour
Alycia Parks pulls off biggest career win in stunning Lyon final upset
Alycia Parks wrapped up her breakthrough week on the WTA Tour with her first top five victory.
-
Tennis News
Who is Cameron Norrie’s girlfriend, Louise Jacobi?
Louise Jacobi has been involved with Cameron Norrie since 2019.
-
French Open
Novak Djokovic is prepared to put his body on the line to be the GOAT
Should Novak Djokovic be considered the favourite at Roland Garros or is that blasphemy while Rafa lives and breathes?
-
ATP Tour
Clay court specialists make long trek for Cordoba Open
Led by third seed and defending champion Albert Ramos-Vinolas Spain have a strong presence in the Cordoba Open draw with five players.
-
WTA Tour
Elena Rybakina enjoys first round bye in Abu Dhabi but danger lurks in deceptive draw
Elena Rybakina will have to face a former world No 1 in the opening match of her Abu Dhabi Open campaign.
-
Davis Cup
‘Fired up’ Great Britain clinch vital Davis Cup win in Colombia
The day began with the score level at 1-1 after the sides took a victory each in Friday’s opening singles rubbers.
-
WTA Tour
Alycia Parks turns heads in breakthrough run in Lyon
Alycia Parks has been on fire this week continuing her charge up the rankings.