Former tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky has stated that he is prepared to fight for his country despite having no prior experience of working in the military.
Stakhovsky, who retired from the Tour just last month, has signed up to the army reserve list in his home country due to the ongoing attack by Russian forces. On Tuesday, President Vladimir Putin authorized ‘a special military operation’ against Ukraine to eliminate what he claims is a serious threat and has vowed to demilitarize the nation. The move has prompted widespread condemnation across the world and Russia has been hit with multiple sanctions as a result.
During a recent interview with Sky News, 36-year-old Stakhovsky said he is currently in the process of helping his family move to Hungary for their safety. However, he is trying to get back to Ukraine and has vowed to support his country if needed.
“Of course, I would fight, it’s the only reason I’m trying to get back,” he told Sky News’ Jacquie Beltrao.
“I signed up for the reserves last week. I don’t have military experience but I do have experience with a gun privately.
“My dad and brother are surgeons, they are stressed out, but I speak to them frequently – they sleep in the basement”.
In the video call it is clear how emotional Stakhovsky is about the ongoing situation with him being on the verge of tears when speaking about his family. He has called for people around the world to unite and protest against Russia. Although he points out his frustration over silence on the matter in recent years. In 2014 Russia also invaded Ukraine and seized Eastern parts of the country. It was at that time when they annexed Crimea.
“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?” He said.
“None of us believed that this could happen, and yet it happened.
“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.
“But let’s be realistic, Russia is a 140 million [population] country which spreads from Europe all the way back to Alaska, It’s going to be very hard to resist that much.”
Stakhovsky has been ranked as high as 31st in the world and has won four tour titles. He is best known for beating Roger Federer in the first round of the 2013 Wimbledon Championships.
