Joining In The Battlefield Defending Ukraine From The Russian Invasion, Ex-Tennis Athlete Alex Dolgopolov: I'm Not Rambo But I'm Comfortable With Guns

Alexandr Dolgopolov (Instagram @alexandrdolgopolov)

JAKARTA - Alexandr Dolgopolov is the latest athlete to have decided to return to Ukraine and take up arms to defend his country against the Russian invasion.

This Ukrainian tennis player reached the world's highest-ranking No. 13 in his career in 2012 before making the decision to retire a few years ago.

In less than a week, Dolgopolov has gone from training in Turkey to return to Ukraine and put on a helmet and bulletproof vest to join the Ukrainian resistance.

"This is my home, and we will defend it with everyone who lives," he wrote on Instagram.

"Many thanks and respect to all the famous people (Ukraine) on the pitch. I am proud of how united this country is under pressure like a mad dictator."

The tennis player left Ukraine just before the Russian military operation began and he decided to return to his country after leaving his mother and sister in Turkey.

"I'm not a Rambo in a week, but quite comfortable with these weapons, and can hit (the target) three out of five times, from 25 meters in a calm and trained environment," said Dolgopolov.

"The truth is behind us and this is our land. I will stay in Kyiv until our victory and after."