'Novak lived through hell' - Sergiy Stakhovsky says Novak Djokovic support has raised spirits in Ukraine

Retired Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky, who joined the armed forces to help combat Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, says Novak Djokovic “completely understands” the war in Ukraine having “lived through hell when he was young”. Stakhovsky left his wife and three young children in Hungary and returned to his birthplace to help try and fight Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Ad/> The 36-year-old has been working with a branch of the Ukraine armed forces that can only be used inside the city premises and reached out to the tennis community for financial support.

Tennis'Very important decision' — Djokovic must get next coach right, says CorretjaYESTERDAY AT 13:35 Djokovic and many others from the tennis world answered his calls. Stakhovskiy shared a message from the Serbian on social media to show that the tennis world is united against the invasion. Stakhovsky says it was extra special receiving support from Djokovic because the world number two knows what it is like to have lived through a war.

«I put out Novak's (message) with his permission because I know for Ukrainians, that would matter,” he said. “Not all the Ukrainians would know Richard Gasquet or Lucas Pouille or Aljaz Bedene, or all the other guys, but they will see that he is supportive, that he understands that he condemns what's going on, that's the most important part — raise the spirit of the Ukrainians a bit. “Although maybe they are already high with having finally a normal president who is willing to put himself where his words are and put his life on the line alongside with all the other Ukrainians.

“It was, of course, special to hear messages from players. Novak is different because Novak lived through hell when he was young. “He completely