Ukrainian tennis star Sergi Stakhovsky says that he is attempting to return to his country in order to join the fight against the Russian invasion.
Stakhovsky, a former top 40 ranked singles player who retired only a few weeks ago, revealed he had enlisted with Ukraine's military reserves, and was prepared to take up arms to defend his country from occupying forces.
'Of course, I would fight, it's the only reason I'm trying to get back,' Stakhovsky told Sky News, explaining that he was currently helping his wife and children to safety in Hungary.
'I signed up for the reserves last week. I don't have military experience but I do have experience with a gun privately,' he said
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Stakhovsky, 36, was a longstanding regular on the ATP tour, having won four titles and most famously beating Roger Federer at Wimbledon in 2013.
Taking to social media to share his support for his country, he tweeted, 'I have never been more proud of my fellow countrymen!! Ukrainian military personnel!!! Be strong!! Many more are coming home to help you!!'
Speaking to Sky News, Stakhovsky urged those outside of Ukraine to take to the streets in protest of Putin's invasion, but criticised European leaders for failing to defend his country from Russian aggression.
'It makes the world of difference to our armed forces that they are not alone at least in a media environment, but let's be realistic here, it's been eight years of war with Russia, where was all of this for eight years? None of us believed that this could happen, and yet it happened,' he said.
'None of the European leaders or the world is ready to help, ready to put the fight in Ukraine maybe for a better Europe in the future, because once Ukraine is lost, we will resist.'
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Stakhovsky's comments came as two high-profile Russian tennis players, including the men's world number one, spoke out against the war in Ukraine.
'It's not easy to hear all [this] news. I am all for peace.' Daniil Medvedev told journalists at a post-match press conference. 'In this moment you understand that tennis is not that important.'
Following a match in Acapulco, Mexico, over the weekend Russian world number seven Andrey Rublev wrote a message reading 'no war please' on a camera, and later tweeted, 'Now It’s not about tennis, it’s not about sport, it’s about having peace all over the world. We need to support each other.'
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Topics: Ukraine, Russia, World News
