British tennis star Olivia Nicholls, ranked World No. 39 in doubles, expressed outrage after her tennis equipment was severely damaged during a flight from Sydney to Tasmania ahead of the Hobart International tournament.
Jetstar Airways reportedly prohibited Nicholls from carrying her soft-shell tennis bag into the cabin, forcing her to check it into the hold for a fee of £80 (160 AUD). Upon arrival, Nicholls found her bag and its contents, including three Babolat racquets, in a battered state.
Photos shared by Nicholls on Twitter revealed one racquet with a snapped frame and others scuffed and scraped beyond repair. Her matching blue bag was also in poor condition, showing signs of crushing and mishandling.
Nicholls expressed her frustration, stating: “This is unacceptable @JetstarAirways. 160AUD to check in because I’m not allowed to take it as carry-on, and you deliver my bag like this? My bag and rackets are totally destroyed.”
This is unacceptable @JetstarAirways. 160AUD to check in because I’m not allowed to take it as carry on, and you deliver my bag like this? How is this possible. My bag and rackets are totally destroyed 😤 pic.twitter.com/YPMbspGSR5
— Olivia Nicholls (@OliviaNicholls) January 4, 2025
Nicholls, preparing for an important tournament, now faces the challenge of replacing her essential equipment on short notice. Jetstar Airways has yet to issue a response to the incident.
