Former Ukrainian tennis player Serhiy Stakhovsky, who left to join his country's reserve army in kyiv, supports the decision of Wimbledon organizers to exclude Russians and Belarusians from the next edition of the tournament (June 27 - July 10) .
"
I'm not saying I was happy about it, but it had to be done
," the former 31st in the world, who retired from sport and left his London home on March 1, told the English newspaper Mail on Sunday. go to Ukraine.
"
During the first two weeks of the war, I was pretty quiet about it, thinking that each individual should be judged by their positioning, but we know how Russian troops behave in occupied cities.
We know what they can do: massacre, rape, torture.
So my point of view is different now
,” explained the 36-year-old Ukrainian.
The ATP and WTA, which manage the men's and women's professional circuits, recently welcomed the Wimbledon decision and were considering a response.
Stakhovsky claimed to have witnessed harrowing scenes in Kharkiv and Boutcha.
"
These images will stay with me for a long time, but I hope I can let go of them at some point
," he said.
“
At first there was fear but it's strange how you can get used to war, how you can get used to anything.
We know that a missile can land anywhere in the country.
Professional tennis seems far away now.
It's surreal
,” he added.