In Pau,
The conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to dictate much of the sports news.
To support the Ukrainians prey to the invasion of the Russians, the Aseft, which brings together the fans of the French tennis teams, will, according to our information, wave French and Ukrainian flags tomorrow during the first day of France- Ecuador.
Without going into details, the captain of the French team Sébastien Grosjean announced that the players would also take action as a sign of solidarity.
“
There will be a gesture.
We have already discussed among ourselves.
We will validate all that during the day.
Nothing is decided yet.
Grosjean also returned to the decisions taken by the ATP, WTA and ITF to exclude Russia from all team competitions.
"
I think we have to let the players evolve on the main circuit.
Because it is an individual competition.
Regarding the team competitions, I support and welcome the decision taken by the ITF.
»
Read alsoThese Ukrainian athletes who take up arms
Like many Europeans, Pierre-Hugues Herbert does not hide a certain concern in the face of conflict: “
There is not a moment in the day when I do not think about what is happening in Ukraine.
I feel bad about what's going on there.
There's something to be depressed about watching the TV news right now.
We did not realize at the time how lucky we were to live in peace.
Unfortunately, dramatic situations have followed one another in recent years.
In 2015, while we were playing the doubles Masters with Nicolas (Mahut), there were the attacks in Paris
”.
Read alsoWar in Ukraine: Russian athletes who have become pariahs despite their opposition to the war
Retired from the tennis courts for a few months, the Ukrainian Sergiy Stakhovsky, ex 31st in the world, announced to join the reservists of his country to fight against the Russian invasion.
Nicolas Mahut, 40, knows the 36-year-old Ukrainian well.
Between concern and admiration, the Angevin confides: “
When I see 'Stakho' going there, we are necessarily worried about him.
I got it before he made his decision.
But I haven't had it since he left to fight
”.
In solidarity with Stakhovsky, but also with the Russian players, collateral victims of this conflict, the former world doubles number one continues:
For the Russians, it is difficult to express themselves freely.
Some did it on tiptoe.
You have to put yourself in their place.
They don't have the same facility as us to express themselves.
It can't be easy for them either.
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