Ukrainian tennis star returned to Ukraine to help fight the Russians without telling his kids
Ukrainian tennis star Sergiy Stakhovsky was vacationing with his family in Dubai when Russian forces invaded his home country.
He made a tough decision to leave his wife and three young children at their home in Hungary and return to his homeland to join the fight. He's now a member of the army reservists helping defend the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv.
As a Russian military convoy closes in on the city and Dread hangs in the air, Stakhovsky, 36, says he is prepared to do whatever it takes. On Thursday that his goal is to help save Ukraine for its citizens and his children.
"I was born here, my grandparents are buried here, and I would like to have a history to tell to my kids," he said. "Nobody here wants Russia to free them; they have freedom and democracy ... and Russia wants to bring despair and poverty."
Stakhovsky had retired from professional tennis only weeks earlier at the Australian Open, ending an 18-year career. Now he's hunkered down with his fellow civilian soldiers in Kyiv -- and struggling with his decision.
Once in the world, Stakhovsky beat Roger Federer in a major upset at Wimbledon in 2013.
In January, he was playing his final professional match Now his involve Fear and uncertainty, l all without hesitation. I have a wife and three kids," he said. "If I would stay home, I'd feel guilty that I didn't come back (to Ukraine), and now I'm here, I feel guilty that I left them at home."
His wife also is struggling with his decision, he said.
"Of course, she was mad," he said. "She understood the reason for me, but for her, it was a betrayal. And I understand why she feels that way."
He said they hadn’t told their kids, all under age 7, who likely believe he's at a tennis tournament. the wife didn't tell them, and I didn't tell them ... where I'm going," he said. "I guess they'll figure it out soon."
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