'How is this possible?': Jetstar 'really sorry' after United Cup star has racquets destroyed on flight

A British tennis player has taken to social media to demand answers after several racquets were destroyed and her bag damaged allegedly during a Jetstar flight over the weekend.

Olivia Nicholls, who played the United Cup and will be in action at the Hobart International this week before the Australian Open next week, shared on X a photo of her heavily damaged bag and three racquets that appear to be destroyed.

"Unacceptable... how is this possible? My bag and racquets are totally destroyed," she said.

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Nicholls' post also suggested she tried to take the bags as carry-on, but was made to pay $160 to check them in at the gate.

Playing partner Tereza Mihalikova took to Instagram to share a photo of Nicholls with a broken racquet, saying they were "ready to roll" for the 2025 campaigns.

Wide World of Sports contacted Jetstar for comment, and the airline promised to cover the costs of replacement racquets.

"We're really sorry for the damage to Olivia Nicholls racquets and for the inconvenience it has caused her," a spokesperson said.

"Our teams are working to ensure that she receives replacement racquets so that she can compete in her tournament this week.

"We have reached out to Ms Nicholls to apologise and offered to refund for costs incurred and provide compensation for the damage."

Nicholls has a doubles ranking of No.40, and played in the United Cup for Great Britain, who were knocked out by eventual runners-up Poland. She and playing partner Charles Broom lost that tie against Maja Chwalinska and Jan Zielinski 6-2, 7-6 (3).

2024 was the 30-year-old's best year on tour. She and Mihalikova reached the third round at Wimbledon, but lost to Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko.