Retired tennis star now fighting against Russian soldiers tells Western world to 'wake up' and take action

Retired tennis star now fighting against Russian soldiers tells Western world to 'wake up' and take action

Watch now: Paul Coyte's sport round-up of the day

Stuart Ballard

By Stuart Ballard


Published: 21/12/2023

- 11:48

Alexandr Dolgopolov retired from professional tennis before enlisting in the Ukrainian army.

Former world No 13 Alexandr Dolgopolov has delivered an impassioned plea to countries in the West to "wake up" and help Ukraine in their war with Russia having spent the last 18 months on the frontline.

Dolgopolov had a distinguished career in tennis and is Ukraine's most successful male tennis player to date, winning three ATP titles and reaching the quarter-finals of the 2011 Australian Open.


He brought an end to his playing career in 2021 after battling with a number of physical issues.

But he returned to his home country last year as a volunteer to help Ukraine after Russia's invasion.

Dolgopolov has been on the frontline facing attacks from Russian soldiers, revealing he's lost many comrades and described the "worst day" as when a mortar came horrifyingly close to hitting him and his unit.

The 35-year-old is now back Ukraine's capital city to await his next assignment with the country's government officials calling for more foreign aid.

Dolgopolov agrees, insisting Ukraine's allies need to do more if Russia are to be kept at bay.

"We need armoury and instruments to win this war. At the moment, mathematically we're not in a good position," he told the BBC.

"On the battlefield, Russia have advantages in most things - more people, more armoury and more artillery rounds.

"Is the world doing enough? I don't think so. I think it is obvious by now.

"We are not getting enough, not fast enough, not enough quantity, it is a big war and we need much more.

"I think the West needs to wake up and understand it's not just Ukraine's problem. Actions have to be taken.

"Dolgopolov also described what the battlefield has been like since he signed up to join Ukraine's army.

Volodymyr Zelensky is worried Ukraine will begin to lose the war

Volodymyr Zelensky is worried Ukraine will begin to lose the war

GETTY

"It has been tough on the battlefield in the last year," he added.

"When they are firing and getting really close, you know they know approximately where you are.

"When the round exits, you hear that and then you have the few seconds where it is flying - it is like loud whistles coming in - and then you feel the impact.

LATEST SPORT NEWS:

Alexandr Dolgopolov reached No 13 in the world rankings

Alexandr Dolgopolov reached No 13 in the world rankings

GETTY

"You hope the impact is not exactly on the top of the trench.

"If it is one or more metres from you, you should be fine because you're half or one metre under the ground.

"If it doesn't hit the ceiling, you should be OK, but you don't know that."

You may like