Roger Federer has spoken publicly for the first time since copping criticism from climate activists about his partnership with Credit Suisse.
Federer has been targeted by climate activists in recent times because of his sponsorship arrangement with the Swiss banking giants, who invest heavily in fossil fuels.
The hashtag #RogerWakeUpNow began trending on Twitter during the Australian Open, while several activists in Switzerland held banners saying, “Crédit Suisse is destroying the planet. Roger, do you support them?”
Thunberg then retweeted a post from 350.org Europe claiming Credit Suisse had given $US57 billion to companies looking for new fossil fuel deposits.
“Roger Federer do you endorse this?” the tweet read.
Federer previously released a statement addressing the furore, but has now spoken publicly about the situation.
“I am sometimes misused for certain purposes,” Federer recently told Swiss publication Tages Anzeiger.
“When I help one person, I am criticised for not doing it with others. I have reached a point where I have to think carefully about what I am doing.
“But I also have to be able to overlook criticism. I can’t be everywhere, I can’t do everything. I am also a father and tennis player.
“I am aware that I can make a difference, take the microphone and address certain things. But I can’t do that all the time.
“It is important that you choose the right things at the right time and get your message across in a fair way. Not by attacking others.
“I know I can make a difference with my popularity. For others, for the planet, for the animals. And I think it’s good what has recently been raised about collective consciousness.”
Federer caught in ugly controversy
A dozen Swiss activists appeared in court last month after refusing to pay a fine for playing tennis inside branches of Credit Suisse last year in a stunt intended to highlight the bank’s fossil fuel investments and “stop people acting like nothing is happening”.
Video footage from 2018 shows students dressed in tennis whites playing matches inside Credit Suisse branches in Lausanne and Geneva to underscore Federer’s sponsorship deal with the bank, which they want him to drop.
Federer previously issued a statement addressing his partnership with Credit Suisse.
“I take the impacts and threat of climate change very seriously, particularly as my family and I arrive in Australia amidst devastation from the bushfires,” a statement from Federer said.
“As the father of four young children and a fervent supporter of universal education, I have a great deal of respect and admiration for the youth climate movement, and I am grateful to young climate activists for pushing us all to examine our behaviours and act on innovative solutions. We owe it to them and ourselves to listen.
“I appreciate reminders of responsibility as a private individual, as an athlete and as an entrepreneur, and I’m committed to using this privileged position to dialogue on important issues with my sponsors.”
But according to Simon Briggs of the UK Telegraph: “Federer’s response to Thunberg and company contained plenty of words without making the slightest commitment to changing his relationship with Credit Suisse.”
Roger Federer confirms he’ll play at Laver Cup as Swiss star sends message to fans
Roger Federer has confirmed his participation in this year’s Laver Cup and spoken of his excitement at playing in Boston. The fourth edition of the popular exhibition, which honours Australian legend Rod Laver, returns to America after being held in Geneva, Switzerland last year.
As one of the founders and a key marketing tool, it is no shock that Federer is the first player to be confirmed and the Swiss star is hoping to lead Team World to a fourth win over Team World.
“I’ve never been to Boston and I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the sights and playing tennis in front of their great fans,” said Federer.
“The Laver Cup is like nothing else in world tennis and I’m sure playing in a city that loves its sport as much as Boston does, the atmosphere is going to be unreal. Each year gets tougher for Team Europe to hold back Team World, and Boston will be a whole new ball game.”
The criteria for selection sees three of the six players qualify based on their ATP singles ranking as of the Monday following the French Open.
Three are “captain’s picks” which are announced by the start of the US Open.
Last month, Nadal’s coach Carlos Moya revealed the 19-time Grand Slam champion hadn’t made a decision on whether he will play in the event.
Moya told Spanish publication Las Provincias: “I do not know. We have made the calendar until Wimbledon. Then I don’t know [what is next].”
Nadal has competed in 2017 and 2019 and may opt to sit this year out after a busy season.
Federer may end up being a captain’s choice if he slips too far down the rankings.
The Swiss is currently on the sidelines after undergoing knee surgery in Switzerland last month.
Federer is anticipating a return in June for the grass-court season but he could be hanging on to his place in the world’s top 10 if he doesn’t get up to speed quickly.
But former British player and ATP commentator Naomi Cavaday says it would be ‘ridiculous’ to expect Federer to return and instantly be at his usual high level.
“He is very good at being able to pick up his level quickly,” Cavaday said.
“But that has become more difficult as he has got older. Those periods of times out have become a little bit longer because he’s been playing a reduced schedule for quite a long time.
“He’s chosen to miss the clay-court on a few occasions so this one is a bit more of a forced break.
“But I think he will come back just fine, maybe not his absolute sharpest but that would be a bit ridiculous. I’m sure he is going to be very very good.”
