“Of course I would fight”- Former Ukrainian tennis icon Sergiy Stakhovsky joins military reserves to fight Russian invasion
Follow Us
Sergiy Stakhovsky
Former Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky has enlisted himself in his country’s military reserves amidst conflicts with Russia.
Ukraine is currently under a state of emergency and martial law has been imposed after Russian President, Vladimir Putin announced a full-fledged war on Ukraine under the guise of a ‘military operation.’ With air sirens ringing around the nation and missiles dropping in civilian areas, many Ukrainian have been compelled to take up arms following the invasion.
Stakhovsky has enlisted himself voluntarily prior to the invasion to fight Russian troops who now have entered the capital city of Kyiv. In an emotional interview, Stakhovsky revealed he is ready to take up arms to protect his homeland from invasion.
“Of course, I would, that’s the only reason I’m coming back. The army opened up the reserves and everybody who is willing to fight, to come in and collect the weapons and be part of the territorial resistance. There are plenty of people in them. I actually signed up for the reserves last week, last Saturday, I just didn’t have enough documents to sign the contract. Now they have canceled that procedure and basically, everybody who is motivated enough can join,” he said in an interview with Sky News.
Stakhovsky said he currently doesn’t have any formal military experience, but he is determined to join the military and he couldn’t sit idle while his countrymen are on the front lines.
“I don’t have military experience but I do have gun experience privately. I don’t see the reason why the majority of our countrymen have to risk their lives to send their families away while I sit back,” he added.
The Ukrainian retired from professional tennis last month after he lost in the qualifying rounds of the Australian Open. He has won 4 titles with a career high ranking of No.31 and is famously known for defeating defending champion Roger Federer in the second round of Wimbledon back in 2013.
Tennis players voice their support for Ukraine
A number of tennis players have expressed solidarity with Ukraine after seeing the harrowing conditions the country is under following the Russian invasion. Russian tennis star Andrey Rublev took on a brave stand and wrote ‘No War Please’ after his semi-final win at the Dubai Tennis Championships. His compatriot Daniil Medvedev also called for peace and said tennis is unimportant in such situations.
Ukrainian players including Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolia strongly condemned the Russian attacks and pleaded for military aid from other countries. Newly crowned Qatar Open champion Iga Swiatek also voiced her support for Ukraine and dedicated her title to people who are ‘suffering in Ukraine’ as a result of the war.
Also read: “I’m horrified”- Sloane Stephens left SHOCKED after Russian invasion of Ukraine
Stay Updated!
T Rushitha
(360 Articles Published)