Tennis legend Roger Federer has hit-back at climate activist Greta Thunberg, who called him out for his partnership with Swiss bank Credit Suisse.
The activists played tennis inside their office in order to urge Federer to cut ties with the institution. The activists claim that the Credit Suisse bank has provided over $85 billion to companies searching for new fossil fuel deposits.
They also held banners which read, “Credit Suisse is destroying the planet. Roger, do you support them?”.
Their photo with the banner went viral on social media.
Climate Activist Greta Thunberg retweeted the post asking Federer to “wake up now”.
The Swiss maestro recently hit back at the young climate activist.
Federer, before his charity exhibition match against Rafael Nadal in South Africa, talked to the media and doubled down on his stance, and argued his persona was being leveraged.
“I am sometimes misused for certain purposes,” Federer 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,” he added.
The exhibition at Cape Town Stadium was to raise money for the Roger Federer Foundation, which supports early childhood education in six southern African countries, including South Africa. The foundation was hoping to top $1 million from the exhibition. It raised $3.5 million.
Roger Federer takes another swipe at Greta Thunberg amid Credit Suisse criticism
Roger Federer says he is “misused” in political agendas following criticism from Greta Thunberg.
Roger Federer has taken another swipe at climate activist Greta Thunberg for using his name to promote her agenda against one of his sponsors Credit Suisse. The 17-year-old Swede has thrown her backing behind criticism of the bank’s investment in fossil fuels.
A dozen climate activists stormed a Credit Suisse office in Switzerland last month and started playing tennis inside as part of their protest.
Whacking the tennis balls was meant to be a sign of Federer’s association with the fossil fuel investors.
They also held banners which read: “Credit Suisse is destroying the planet. Roger, do you support them?”
Thunberg then retweeted a post which had the hashtag “#RogerWakeUpNow” which prompted a response from the 20-time Grand Slam winner where he called for “innovative solutions.”
However, in a more recent interview with Swiss publication Tages Anzeiger, Federer hit out at being dragged into the spotlight.
“I am sometimes misused for certain purposes,” the 38-year-old said.
“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.”
Ahead of the Australian Open last month the tennis legend defended his stance on environmental issues.
“I take the impacts and threat of climate change very seriously, particularly as my family and I arrive in Australia amid devastation from the bush fire,” he said.
Federer went on to reach the semi-finals in Melbourne where he lost to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
He then played an exhibition clash against rival Rafael Nadal in South Africa where they set the world record attendance for a tennis match.
Now Federer wants to take a break with his family before he returns to action in Dubai.
“Soon we will have a longer phase without a trip again,” Federer said.
“I am constantly discussing with Mirka how we can find the easiest solution for the children, and mostly that’s the best for my tennis.
“For some years now we have been able to bring in a little more stability. We try to stay in one place with the family as long as possible.
“That’s why I skipped the ATP Cup [in Australia] – so we could stay in Dubai longer.”
