Australian fires: criticized, Roger Federer announces that he will make a donation

“Since 2016, Credit Suisse has provided $ 57 billion to businesses looking for new fossil fuel deposits - which is completely incompatible with #ClimateAction. Roger Federer, do you agree with that? ". This message written on Twitter by the environmental NGO 350.org, then retweeted by the Swedish activist Greta Thunberg, made react the tennis player.

Since 2016 @CreditSuisse has provided $ 57 BILLION to companies looking for new fossil fuel deposits - something that is utterly incompatible with #ClimateAction @RogerFederer do you endorse this? #RogerWakeUpNow pic.twitter.com/ED1fIvb4Cr

Criticized by environmental activists for its links with its sponsor Credit Suisse, who they say has loaned billions of dollars to the fossil fuel industry, Roger Federer announced on Monday his intention to donate to victims of the fires ravaging Australia.

"If we can help, it's good to show solidarity in the face of a situation that has become quite incredible in the country," said world number 3 in Melbourne, a week before the kick-off of the Australian Open. .

Like many other tennis figures who have pledged hundreds of thousands of dollars, Roger Federer said he will "also make a personal donation Wednesday" in Melbourne during a charity fundraising match. funds for the flame-stricken country, notably alongside Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams.

"I appreciate the reminders concerning my responsibility"

The player also said he was "grateful to the young climate activists for pushing us all to examine our behavior." "I appreciate the reminders concerning my responsibility as an individual, as an athlete and as an entrepreneur, and I undertake to use this privileged position to dialogue on important questions with my sponsors", replied Roger Federer in a press release, in response to criticism of him.

Players on the men's circuit donated $ 500,000, ATP said on Sunday, while on the same day American Serena Williams donated 43,000 winnings from her win at the Auckland tournament.

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World tennis stars will meet at the Australian Open from January 20 for the first Grand Slam tournament of the season. The 38-year-old Swiss legend has won the Australian Open six times.