He was the 13th place in the world, won the Buenos Aires ATP and is currently fighting against the invasion of Russia. “I'm very comfortable with guns”

After more than 20 days of war, while the defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine against the invasion of Russia's territory continued, the story of another athlete who decided to join the army of his country in order to resist the attack went viral. Alex Dolgopolov, who knew how to become the best player on the professional tennis circuit, returned to his native country and enlisted in the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

After 2018, moving away from activities, Dolgopolov described in detail how he decided to join the resistance in order to fight Russia. “The war caught me in Turkey. I arrived there the day before everything began, and I took my sister and mother.” The former tennis player said in connection with the beginning of the war.

“Why? After a lot of information from the world's leading intelligence agencies and a lot of distrust at home, I understood that the likelihood of a war was very high due to attacks in Kiev and the whole country. Then I wondered what would happen in the first day/weeks.” He added to the long description he posted on social networks.

Ukrainian racket, which has been a professional since 2006, is one step away from the world's Top Ten. At the beginning of 2012, he won the 13th place in the ATP ranking and won three titles after defeating local Marin Cilic at Umag, Croatia in 2011. Haas and the last person were in Argentina. In 2017, he won Japan Kei Nishikori in the Argentina Open final and won the Classic Argentina Mate Trophy.

In addition, the most outstanding year between 2011 and 2017, he was a finalist in six different tournaments and repeatedly represented Ukraine in the Davis Cup.He finished his career with a record of 221 victories, that is, 201 losses and a prize pool of more than 7 million dollars.

In a letter he shared to his followers, Alex explained that he was in the “general panic” of all his compatriots and was dedicated to truthfully reporting the situation in his country at the beginning of the invasion, and that he preferred not to waste time and collect money for the family”. After a week of training with a former military officer, he traveled to Ukraine to enlist in the local army.

About the first contact with the weapon, Dolgopolov said: “In a week it is not a rambo, but it is very comfortable with a gun and can shoot his head three or five times at a distance of 25 meters. This can be taken in peace of mind and in a training environment. At the same time, on his Twitter account, he showed a photo in which he could see the equipment given to him to fight the invasion of the Russians, and “Previously, it was a racket and a rope.” He wrote.

In the photo there is a case containing something similar to a bulletproof vest, a protective helmet, a rifle, a knife.

“This is my home and I will keep it! With all the people who stayed. Thank you for all the respect for the famous people on earth. With all the respect and I am proud of how this country is united, even under the pressure of a crazy dictator, the truth is behind our land! I'll be in Kiev until the end of the victoryGlory to Ukraine”, said goodbye to the former tennis player and stated that before arriving in the city of Kiev with the Polish border, he passed through Zagreb (Croatia) and bought thermal monoculars, an accessory that was so desperately needed in the war. Identifies column variation.

In addition to using his profile on social networks, Dolgopolov gave an interview with the French newspaper L'Equipe. “Ready to shoot the Russian invaders.” He said, referring to the feelings of the family about joining the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

“Even though they didn't want to enlist because they were afraid that something would happen to me, I'm proud because it's the right thing to do. But no one can stop me from doing something. They have to accept it. I'm an adult, but who will stop me? If I say I'm going to war, I'm going to goAt the moment, I'm not sending inexperienced people to the front. For example, they are placed in certain surveillance posts to search for cars at best.” He explained.

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