INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
Tennis star Roger Federer has been criticised by climate change activists - including Greta Thunberg - over his sponsorship deal with Swiss
bank Credit Suisse.It follows legal proceedings this week during which a dozen Swiss climate activists appeared in court after refusing to
pay a fine for playing tennis inside branches of Credit Suisse bank.The stunt, in Lausanne and Geneva, was intended to highlight the bank's
fossil fuel investments and "stop people acting like nothing is happening".Ms Thunberg was among nearly 800 accounts to retweet a post from
climate campaign group 350.org Europe, with the hashtag #RogerWakeUpNow.The tweet said: "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."Credit Suisse told Reuters: "Combating global warming is important
Credit Suisse respects freedom of expression as a fundamental democratic right
[However], to protect its clients, employees and branches, it does not tolerate unlawful attacks on its branches, irrespective of the
perpetrators and their motives."Federer, who is in Melbourne preparing for the Australian Open, issued a response on Sunday to the news
agency, The Guardian reported.Explained: The rise of Greta ThunbergThe 20-time Grand Slam champion said he would hold talks with his
sponsors.The statement read: "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."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, he will be
taking part in an exhibition match to raise money for a bushfire relief fund on Wednesday alongside Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, Naomi
