Italian tennis star Jannik Sinner has found himself at the centre of an environmental storm after opting for a private jet to travel to Wimbledon. The 22-year-old, who recently claimed his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open, was called out by Italian politician Matteo Salvini for his high-carbon mode of transport.
Salvini, leader of the right-wing Lega party, took to social media to criticise the young athlete's choice, posting: "While ordinary citizens are lectured about reducing their carbon footprint, our tennis champions fly private. Interesting priorities." The dig comes amid growing scrutiny of elite sportspeople's travel habits in an era of climate consciousness.
The Private Jet Controversy
Sinner, currently ranked world No. 1, reportedly flew from Monte Carlo to London via private aircraft ahead of the Wimbledon Championships. The trip, covering approximately 1,000 kilometres, would have generated significantly more emissions than commercial alternatives.
Environmental experts suggest a private jet emits about 10 times more CO2 per passenger than a scheduled flight. For context, the Monte Carlo-London route would produce roughly 2.5 tonnes of CO2 via private jet compared to 0.25 tonnes on a commercial airline.
Sinner's Silent Response
The Italian player has yet to publicly address the criticism. His team maintains that security and scheduling demands often necessitate private air travel for top-ranked players during tournament seasons.
This isn't the first time tennis stars have faced flak for their travel choices. Novak Djokovic previously defended his use of private jets, while the Williams sisters have been criticised for their fleet of private aircraft.
The Bigger Picture
The controversy highlights growing tensions between elite sports and environmental responsibility. Wimbledon itself has made sustainability pledges, including a commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2030. However, the carbon footprint of players' travel remains a contentious issue.
As Sinner prepares for his Wimbledon campaign, the debate raises questions about whether tennis' governing bodies should implement greener travel policies for competitors. For now, the young Italian will hope to let his racket do the talking on Centre Court.
