The ATP is taking a significant step to tackle the carbon footprint of its players with the launch of the ATP Carbon Tracker app. This app allows players to monitor their travel distances and calculate the carbon emissions generated by their journeys. It’s part of the ATP’s efforts to raise awareness among players about the environmental impact they make
Dominic Thiem, Cameron Norrie, Andrey Rublev, and Emil Ruusuvuori are among the players who have signed up to use the Carbon Tracker app, showing a growing awareness of climate issues in the locker room. According to the ATP, a substantial 90% of the organization’s carbon footprint comes from players’ travel, highlighting the need for change.
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The ATP aims to be more transparent about its emissions. It also plans to use the app to create a leaderboard of the most environmentally friendly players. A $100,000 charity pool will be distributed among the top three players on this leaderboard at the end of the year. This initiative aligns with the ATP’s focus on encouraging active measures to reduce emissions.
The ATP’s ultimate goal is to establish universal carbon reporting standards for its tournaments. While tennis’ carbon footprint is relatively small on a global scale, players can still play a crucial role as supporters of sustainable practices. However, there are challenges, including contradictions like players showcasing private jet travel on social media.
Reilly Opelka challenges ATP’s carbon tracker app
The ATP has hailed the carbon tracker app’s adoption by over 200 players. However, a dissent has emerged from American tennis star Reilly Opelka. The 26-year-old has openly criticized the program, deeming it a mere public relations ploy that falls short of inducing any meaningful change. In Opelka’s view, the app is a mere eyewash and veils the real issues of overpacked tour schedules that the players face.
“If sustainability was such a concern for the ATP, why does our schedule say otherwise?” Opelka queried, highlighting the glaring gap between the organization’s commitment to sustainability and the rigorous travel requirements imposed on players.
Opelka about ATP’s carbon tracker leaderboard 😬 pic.twitter.com/vnLyPsYWeZ
— Greg (@gregariousone_) October 11, 2023
He further laments, “Can drinking from a metal water bottle 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’s pointed question highlights the significant environmental impact of players’ extensive air travel.
He concludes, “If they really cared about the carbon footprint, they would look at the schedule. Otherwise, it’s just PR and optics.” As per him, an authentic transformation could only begin with a thorough re-evaluation of the ATP’s tournament schedules, which frequently compel players to traverse vast distances every other week.
