Novak Djokovic's Classy Whatsapp Message To Ex-Ukrainian Tennis Player Sergiy Stakhovsky
Say what you like about Novak Djokovic, but this is great.
Say what you like about Novak Djokovic, but this is classy.
The world No.2 tennis player sent a WhatsApp message offering help to ex-tennis star Sergiy Stakhovsky amid Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Stakhovsky, who currently resides in Hungary, has now been forced to return to his home city of Kyiv to take up arms and defend his country from Vladimir's Putin's Russian forces.
The recently-retired former tennis player joins the growing list of professional athletes including the Klitschko brothers, Oleksandr Usyk and Vasiliy Lomachenko who have signed up for the Ukrainian army.
The brave efforts of the Ukrainian people have been commended by a bunch of high-profile figures from around the world.
Now 36-year-old Stakhovsky has taken to social media to reveal how Djokovic reached out to him personally to offer support.
In a screenshot of their WhatsApp message exhange, Djokovic says: "Stako, how are you man? Are you on the field?
"Thinking of you... hoping all calms down soon.
"Please let me know what would be the best address to send help.. financial help, any other help as well..."
Stakhovsky responded with a heart and praying emoji.
"Nole thanks a lot, I am on the ground Kyiv is pretty silent," Stakhovsky replied.
Djokovic, who has been the subject of his fair share of controversy in recent years, knows all too well about the grim realities of conflict having grown up in war-torn Serbia.
As for Stakhovsky, he now faces that scary reality himself, leaving his family in Hungary to fight on the frontline alongside his Ukrainian comrades.
"I just had this strong feeling that I have to do it," he told ABC News.
"I didn't really say goodbye to the kids. I just kissed them goodbye, and I said that I'll be right back. They were watching cartoons and reading books, not really paying attention.
"If I stayed I would have felt guilty that I left my father and brother in Ukraine.
"Crossing the border was a tough choice because I knew that's the point where, you know, you don't go back.
"But by driving through Ukraine, driving through the country, seeing all the people coming into groups, doing their own resistance units with hunting guns, barricading the roads, it's really inspirational.
"I feel I am not prepared enough, that's for sure. But I guess no one is prepared enough."
Featured Image Credit: Alamy/Instagram/@stako_sTopics: Ukraine, Tennis news, Sergiy Stakhovsky, Novak Djokovic, Australia, Russia
Max Sherry