Many celebrities have come forward in support of Ukraine and one of the best in the game of tennis -Novak Djokovic has joined the list.
The man-Novak Djokovic, who won 20 Grand Slams has pledged financial support to Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky. Stakhovsky joined the fight to protect his country from Russian invasion.
The Ukrainian had a career-high ranking of 31 in 2010. He has always had great admiration for countryman Andrei Medvedev. Stakhovsky’s shot to the limelight when he defeated Roger Federer in the 2013 Wimbledon Championships and broke Federer’s record of 36 consecutive Grand Slam quarterfinals. The win was his first against someone ranked in the top-10 and is still remembered as a sensational upset in tennis history.
In an interview with Sky News last week, he confirmed that he has joined the military forces.
“I signed up for the reserves last week. I don’t have military experience but I do have experience with a gun privately,” he said.
Stakhovsky posted a screenshot on Instagram of a Whatsapp conversation with Djokovic. “Thinking of you… hope all calms down soon,” the message from Djokovic read.
Another message read “Please let me know what would be the best address to send help..financial help, any other help as well ...”
Stakhovsky posted the screenshot and wrote in the caption: “thank you for your support Ukraine is grateful #stopwar #stoprussianaggression #ukraine #savelife”
Dayana Yastremska of Ukraine pledges to donate her prize money
Another Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska fell agonizingly short of a dream WTA title in France. After her match, she pledged to donate her prize money to support the people fighting for her country.
World number 140 Yastremska, who draped the Ukraine flag around her shoulders at every match, lost against 64th-ranked Zhang Shuai of China in Sunday’s final in Lyon.
“The prize money I earn here, I’m going to give to the Ukrainian Foundation to support Ukraine,” an emotional Yastremska said. She said: “I tried to fight for Ukraine.”
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