Sergiy Stakhovsky knows the power of a voice.
The former Ukrainian pro praised Daria Kasatkina and Andrey Rublev for publicly speaking out against Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.
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Sharing he’s “disappointed” more Russian players don’t condemn the war, Stakhovsky said if more Russians were like Kasatkina and Rublev war would not have erupted.
“Rublev was maybe the only player who came out publicly and said stop the war in the first week,” Stakhovsky told the media at the Iga Swiatek-organized charity exhibition event in Poland to raise funds for Ukrainian youth impacted by the way. “I have great admiration for Daria… She is a hero in her own way.
“If there would be more Russians like this, this war would have never started.”
Ukrainian sports legends Elina Svitolina, @Stako_tennis, @jksheva7 speaking about the Russian war against Ukraine and raising money for people in 🇺🇦@VOANews @holosameryky pic.twitter.com/4H0oIBmpyL
— mgongadze (@MGongadze) July 23, 2022
Former Ukrainian No. 1 Stakhovsky, who owns a Wimbledon win over Roger Federer, returned to Kyiv in March to fight for Ukraine in its battle from the Russian invasion.
The 36-year-old Stakhovsky, who retired from the pro circuit after the Australian Open, said he appreciates Kasatkina and Rublev speaking out but is disappointed other Russians haven’t been vocal opposing the war. Stakhovsky plays fear is the factor that prevents other Russian players from condemning the war.
“They are all scared for their fate,” Stakhovsky told the media in comments published by AFP. “They don’t want to go to jail…but they are okay that the kids and women are dying. I would rather trade and go to jail for a couple of weeks or even a month if I can save a life by doing that.”
Thank you #Krakow! Thank you @iga_swiatek @ARadwanska @ElinaSvitolina @jksheva7 ! Thank you POLAND! 🇺🇦❤️🇵🇱 pic.twitter.com/vZvYEebU7J
— Sergiy Stakhovsky (@Stako_tennis) July 24, 2022
The Swiatek-led charity exhibition event raised more than $480,000 to aid Ukrainian children.
This match ❤️ This atmosphere 🔥Check this rally 👌 #tennis #StandWithUkraine️
Iga Świątek i Przyjaciele dla Ukrainy | Iga Swiatek and Friends for Ukraine 🇺🇦🇵🇱 @U24_gov_ua @iga_swiatek @ElinaSvitolina @Stako_tennis @ARadwanska #Pawelski pic.twitter.com/jiCGPjsyF1
— Ukrainian Tennis 🇺🇦 ENG (@ukrtennis_eng) July 23, 2022
World No. 1 Swiatek…
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