Tennis Today: ‘I’m grateful to climate activists,’ Roger Federer tells Greta Thunberg after criticism

Tennis365
January 13, 2020

In Tennis Today, Roger Federer has issued a typically classy return to the criticism served up to him by Greta Thunberg, and Serena Williams wants to be wooed.

What’s on the site
Let’s start off with the ATP Cup which, finished on Sunday with a Novak Djokovic-inspired Serbia win.

No one could argue that Djokovic deserved the little slice of history given his performances over the week, and he says it’s an experience he will never forget.

It was a landmark weekend for Serena Williams too after she proved she could win WTA Tour tournaments as a mother.

The 38-year-old won the ASB Classic and, after admitting it had been a long time coming, immediately donated her prize money to the victims of the bushfire crisis.

Sticking in Australia, Nick Kyrgios has publicly admitted what we have all known for a while: he is a completely different animal in team tennis to singles.

And Andy Murray has been given some advice by one of his former coaches about how to come back strong in 2020.

What’s in the news
Roger Federer recently found himself under attack from relentless teenage climate change activist Greta Thunberg on Twitter.

One of Federer’s main sponsors, Credit Suisse, is closely linked with the fossil fuel industry, and a twitter hashtag of #RogerWakeUpNow started on the platform last week.

Federer, though, has batted it away with his trademark grace and class.

“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,” read Federer’s statement, as quoted by the Guardian.

“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 my 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.”

Meanwhile, Serena Williams says she wants Aucklund to essentially woo her if they want he to defend her newly acquired ASB Classic title next season.

When asked if she’d be back in 12 months time, Williams said: “I’m taking it a day at a time.

“I had a really good time here. I think it’s up to Karl (Budge, tournament director) to talk me into coming back.”

What’s on social media
Anyone else get the feeling this was the final the ATP wanted all along?

View this post on Instagram

IT’S TIME 🤩 #ATPCup Where are you watching from? 🌍🌎🌏

A post shared by ATP Tour (@atptour) on Jan 12, 2020 at 1:55am PST

Daniil Medvedev helped himself to a feast after his ATP Cup exertions.

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Cheat meal day 🤣🥞🍟🍕🍧// Сорвался 🤣🥞🍟🍕🍧

A post shared by Medvedev Daniil (@medwed33) on Jan 11, 2020 at 6:13pm PST

Simona Halep went on the obligatory pre-Australian Open trip to the zoo…

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My visit to the Adelaide Zoo today was both beautiful and a painful reminder of what has been lost in the Australian bushfires. My heart goes out to all of these amazing animals. 🙏🏼

A post shared by Simona Halep (@simonahalep) on Jan 10, 2020 at 9:37pm PST