John Millman: Novak Djokovic is the player to beat at this year's US Open

Australian tennis player John Millman admits he finds it a bit strange that there won't be too much of social life at this year's US Open. 

The USTA is staging both the Cincinnati Masters and US Open in New York, in a bubble, where players are required to follow strict health restrictions.

"The strangest aspect of the bubble is probably when you do play the US Open, you’re normally staying in Manhattan, going out for dinners, really feeling the vibrant city that is New York City, especially when you’re staying in Manhattan,” Millman told the Herald Sun.

Players are required to follow strict health restrictions and also there is a lot of security which enforces players to stay in the bubble.

“Staying in the bubble, you’re constantly seeing the players, you’re having dinner at the hotel every night, so you’re constantly in and around the players, so you don’t get that release," Millman said.

"The location of the hotel on Long Island is completely different to what we’re normally used to in Manhattan.

“We’re kind of in the middle of nowhere. They’ve done that on purpose, we don’t really leave here. There’s lot of security enforcing that we do stay in the bubble, which is necessary right now.”

Millman says Novak Djokovic No. 1 favorite for the US Open title

World.No. 43 Millman says conditions at this year's US Open will be extremely quick and he believes world No. 1 Djokovic is the top favorite to win it all. 

Roger Federer, a record 20-time Grand Slam champion, and defending US Open champion Rafael Nadal won't play the US Open this year. 

"Conditions are quick this year, the general consensus among the players is that this is probably the fastest US Open we’ve had for a fairly long time,” Millman said.

“This is probably the fastest slam in the world in recent times. The balls are coming through really fast, especially when the sun is out on the outside courts. They’re very quick.

“The guys that counterpunch really well, guys like Novak, are going to be super competitive.

“Guys like (Roberto) Bautista Agut, (Daniil) Medvedev are going to be extremely tough to beat. Guys who generally take good court position and use the speed of the court to counterpunch. Djokovic is the class player in the field and he’s the one to beat.”

from Tennis World USA https://ift.tt/2Dfiuu9