Like many other athletes, this Ukrainian tennis player gave up everything to defend his country.
There are not many players who have eliminated Roger Federer before the last 16 of a Grand Slam since his first title, at Wimbledon, in 2003. Since Gustavo Kuerten at Roland-Garros 2004, only two players have achieved this feat, including one in the Swiss’s backyard, the Center Court of the All England Club in London.
The only player to have beaten Roger Federer before the second week in London since 2003 is Serhiy Stakhovsky. Aged 27 at the time, the Ukrainian won 6-7 7-6 7-5 7-6 for what is the best victory of his career. Serhiy Stakhovsky ended his career in 2022 after the Australian Open in January.
Serhiy Stakhovsky had retired and thought he would enjoy his post-career peacefully. But the invasion of his country by Russia in February of the same year, just a few weeks after his retirement, changed everything. Serhiy Stakhovsky joined the Ukrainian army to defend his country.
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The man who has participated many times in the Davis Cup with his country has been wearing the uniform of his national army since February 27, 2022, within a drone unit, as he revealed to The Teamwho devoted a report to him as part of his series “L’Equipe Explore”. He explains in particular to West Francewho met him after the documentary was released, that he did not “want to sit back and do nothing while compatriots risk their lives and die on the front lines every day.”
However, Serhiy Stakhovsky continues to follow the world tennis circuit and the latest results. “I know that Rafa is trying to come back but that it is complicated for him,” explains the former player. “For me, I only see two youngsters capable of taking over: Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. They are the only two who combine determination with results, while they are only at the beginning of their careers.”
He also continues to invest in the future of Ukrainian tennis, along with his compatriot Elina Svitolina. In particular, he has created a tournament circuit for young players who have remained in Ukraine. “Our best young players have, for the most part, moved to Poland, Germany, France or the United Kingdom. But we really want to keep the flame of these young Ukrainians alive and show them that there is still a chance to make a career in tennis even if they cannot afford to go abroad.”