Sergiy Stakhovsky, a former tennis star from Ukraine, enrolled in his country’s reserve army last week, despite having no military training but being able to handle a rifle, he said.
On Thursday, Russia invaded Ukraine by land, air, and sea, following President Vladimir Putin’s declaration of war.
Stakhovsky, 36, who won four ATP titles and stunned Roger Federer in the second round of Wimbledon in 2013, stated on Saturday that he was eager to fight for Ukraine’s defence.
“Of course, I would fight, it’s the only reason I’m trying to get back,” Stakhovsky told Sky News.
“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.
“None of us believed that this could happen, and yet it happened.”
