![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-01-21T075404Z_1656247796_UP1EI1L0LY23K_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-AUSOPEN.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 21, 2022 Reilly Opelka of the U.S. in action during his third round match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov REUTERS/James Gourley
![](https://image-cdn.essentiallysports.com/wp-content/uploads/2022-01-21T075404Z_1656247796_UP1EI1L0LY23K_RTRMADP_3_TENNIS-AUSOPEN.jpg?width=600)
via Reuters
Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 21, 2022 Reilly Opelka of the U.S. in action during his third round match against Canada’s Denis Shapovalov REUTERS/James Gourley
During the grass court season, the ATP Tour took a radical decision in order to lower the carbon emissions of the players. The tennis authorities launched an app called, ‘ATP Carbon Tracker’. The app aims to monitor the sustainability charts. Players can now track the amount of carbon that their journeys emit as they travel around different places around the globe to mark their participation in tournaments.
Many in the tennis community have lauded the decision to launch the app that will help to tackle and reduce the carbon emissions on the men’s tour. Reilly Opelka, on the other hand, has contradicting views. He recently lashed out at the governing body of tennis while bringing to light some hectic scheduling issues.
Reilly Opelka issues his blunt take on the ATP’s carbon track app
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
During a candid online conversation with a fan, the American tennis star highlighted how players face scheduling issues because of the number of tournaments in a season. Reilly Opelka claimed the hectic schedule makes it hard for the ATP players to reduce carbon while traveling around different countries.
Notably, the 26-year-old didn’t hold himself back from lambasting the ATP Tour, which is concerned about sustainability. He said, “@vatsaltolasaria if sustainability was such a concern for the ATP, why does our schedule say otherwise? Can drinking from a metal water bottle really offset flying from Australia to South America, to the USA, to Europe, back to the US, to Asia, back to Europe in 10 months?”
Opelka further suggested that the ATP authorities should change the players’ schedule rather than launching their carbon footprint app. The American asserted, “@vatsaltolasaria they post it about it every week so clearly it’s a concern.. so why not adjust the schedule to avoid players flying with a coach and physio overseas every other week? Planting trees for one person doesn’t offset anything. But it’s great optics.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Opelka about ATP’s carbon tracker leaderboard 😬 pic.twitter.com/vnLyPsYWeZ
— Greg (@gregariousone_) October 11, 2023
Opelka went on to criticize the governing body of men’s tennis while labeling their latest app as “PR” tactics. He said, “@vatsaltolasaria the mentality of something is better than nothing does not seem to be getting us anywhere. If they really cared about carbon footprint, they would look at the schedule. Otherwise, it’s just PR and optics”.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
What do you think of the American tennis star’s blunt take on the ATP carbon footprint app? Let us know in the comments section.
Watch this story – ‘Why Is His Brother Taking a Video..Sweet Home Alabama?’ – Tennis Fans React Hilariously to Unearthed Novak Djokovic Underwear Photo