ATP: Ex-professional Sergiy Stakhovsky is committed as a Ukrainian reservist
The war in Ukraine demands a lot from the entire population - prominent (former) athletes are also joining the national defense. One of them is ex-tennis pro Sergiy Stakhovsky .
by Stefan Bergmann
last edit:
Feb 27, 2022, 08:55 am
Just over a month ago, Sergiy Stakhovsky played his last professional match on the men's tour in the prelims for the Australian Open before announcing the end of his career. At the time, the Ukrainian probably would not have expected that around forty days later countless bombs would fall on his home country. This is now the sad reality.
The 36-year-old has now announced that he has enlisted as a reservist last week and will defend his country against the Russian army: "The army has called up the reserve and all able-bodied men must take part in defending the country. Last week I didn't have the necessary documents to return to Ukraine, but the rules have changed."
The Klitschko brothers also want to join the army
"Now anyone who is motivated to defend the country can register. I have no military experience, only private experience with weapons," said the four-time tournament winner from Kiev on Sky Sports. Visibly emotional, Stakhovsky ends his statement with the words: "I don't understand why the majority of men in my country have to risk their lives to protect their families, to take them away from it all, only to be left behind themselves."
In addition to Stakhovsky, the two Klitschko brothers (Vitali is currently still mayor of Kiev) and Oleksandr Usyk - all (ex-)professional boxers - have made similar announcements.