John Millman joins Bernard Tomic in criticizing new Australian Open balls

Australian tennis star John Millman has criticized the Dunlop balls which will be used at the Australian Open. The Australian Open has replaced the Wilson brand with Dunlop. Millman, ranked at No. 38 in the world, was edged out by French Gilles Simon in the Sydney International quarter-final 7-5 3-6 7-6 (3).

The match ended well after 1am local time on Friday. (It was) really tough to generate (pace) with it cold out there, the balls are pretty dead, Millman said after losing to Simon, per the AAP. The balls are really sh*t when it gets like that, I figured out, so Ive got to factor that in for next week in Melbourne, just remember how bad the balls are in cold conditions like that.

Obviously its a new ball. It made it tough at the end there. But at the end of the day it was the same conditions … and Gilles was better. Millmans fellow compatriot Bernard Tomic also critized the Dunlop balls earlier this week, calling them pretty cheap.

Meanwhile, 29-year-old Millman has been drawn to meet Argentinas Federico Delbonis in the Australian Open first round. Millman, who has enjoyed a career-best form in recent months, will certainly be aiming to achieve his career-best result at Melbourne Park this upcoming fortnight.

The 29-year-old made the Australian Open third round in 2016 before he lost to Tomic. Also read: Tennis Australia defends Dunlop balls against Bernard Tomic accusations