Ukrainian Tennis Player Dolgopolov Hangs Racket To Lift Arms

JAKARTA - From representing Ukraine in the Davis Cup to wearing military uniforms on the front lines, Alexandr Dolgopolov underwent a major transformation in serving his trapped country.

The 35-year-old Australian Open 2011 quarter-finalist returned to Kyiv awaiting new deployments after serving on the front lines for several months defending his homeland from Russian attacks.

He acknowledged his family was "dishappy" when he joined the military in 2022, a decision he made while he was watching TV shows in Turkey where he took his sister and mother to a safe place after Russia launched an invasion in February of that year.

"This is my house, so I think I have to do something," Dolgopolov told AFP as reported by ANTARA, Wednesday, January 3.

"There are many reasons, people who are full of courage, the barbarity of the enemy and I just think about fighting on the good side, defending what belongs to you."

Dolgopolov mengatakan meskipun tidak memiliki pengalaman militer, luarnya saat tennis -- olahraga yang mulai mainkan sejak berusia dua tahun -- memberikan manfaat yang baik baginya dalam beberapa hal.

When asked to compare his old profession with his new role, Dolgopolov said, "Sports are like small wars without killing people."

"Mentality helps you because in your (exercise) career, you have to go through many difficult moments such as injury, extreme hot weather, travel. It's a difficult job, high-level sports."

Dolgopolov was ranked 13th in the world and won three titles before a long-term wrist injury ended his career before his time in 2021.

Known on social media as "Dog", he said his days on the pitch may have ended but old habits remain useful.

"Here, in war, when you experience difficult moments, you know how you can recover it, one of which is about fatigue," said Dolgopolov.

"Other situations include making quick decisions like in tennis."

Even "good habits like on time and organized" have helped Dolgopolov adapt well in the military.

Dolgopolov said he had only held a gun once before joining the military, and he mostly carried out independent military training -- even bought his own rifle.

"Several times, maybe five to seven times, I had a little practice with professional military personnel," said Dolgopolov.