Shortly before the start of the Wimbledon tournament, former world-class Ukrainian player Sergiy Stakhovsky spoke in an interview with The Guardian about the admission of players from Russia and Belarus to this year’s tournament on Church Road.
Sergiy Stakhovsky experienced many great moments in his successful career. Unforgettable for the 37-year-old was his highlight at Wimbledon, when he was able to defeat none other than Roger Federer on the holy lawn in 2013.
After the Australian Open in 2022, he ended his career as a professional tennis player and, when the Russian war broke out in Ukraine, put himself in the service of his country’s defense.
Conversation with Tournament Director Baker
Shortly before the All England Lawn Tennis Club publicly announced the lifting of the ban for Russian and Belarusian players, tournament director Jamie Baker had informed the Ukrainian in a personal conversation. After the WTA and ATP fined the British Tennis Association and Wimbledon and threatened the withdrawal of further tournament licenses such as in Queen’s, the organizer saw no other choice.
Stakhovsky commented: “Last year Wimbledon showed great courage. They pioneered what should be right and what should be wrong. Unfortunately, they found no support within their own ranks. I’m talking about the Grand Slam tournaments.”
No understanding of Sabalenka’s behavior
A particularly big thorn in the side of the former number 31 in the ATP ranking is Aryna Sabalenka’s handling of the political situation, who blocked any questions in this regard in the run-up to her press conference in Wimbledon.
“You could say that last year she feared for her family that they would be prosecuted for testimony. But less than a year and a half after the start of the war, she had the opportunity to leave the country and take her family with her. It’s bizarre the way Sabalenka portrays herself as a victim in this situation.”
Kasatkina as a laudatory example
Stakhovsky has great respect for Daria Kasatkina, who came out as homosexual in July 2022 and sharply criticized the Russian invasion of Ukraine: “Kasatkina has more courage than all Russian players put together. I admire her immensely. To be honest, when I heard her interview, I was blown away.”
The four-time ATP title holder would also like other players from Russia and Belarus to make a similarly clear commitment.
