Dolgopolov, former player now on the front lines for Ukraine: "I used to get upset when I lost, but sports are not important"

Former Ukrainian professional player from 2006 to 2018, Alexander Dolgopolov, who reached the 13th spot in the world rankings in 2012, is now militarily engaged in his country's armed forces and has been defending Ukraine on the front lines since the Russian invasion in February 2022.

Just like his compatriot Serhiy Stakhovsky (a professional between 2003 and 2022, former world No. 31 who famously defeated Roger Federer in the second round of Wimbledon in 2013), who is also fighting for Ukraine, Dolgopolov recently gave an interview to the local media Tribuna, in which he reflects on his daily life since the start of the conflict.

"It happens that I dream of my past as a tennis player when I was still young and carefree, but that doesn't change my new reality.

It doesn't mean that I wake up from a dream and wish to be somewhere else, or that I am upset that it was just a dream. You have to face difficult moments.

In fact, I am happy to be able to defend my country. Today, I sometimes sleep in ruined houses in abandoned villages, where, instead of toilets, there is a pit full of cockroaches and mice.

In such moments, I am grateful for every little thing in life. Once, an old grandmother gave us grapes on the street. My God, how delicious it was.

I used to get upset when I lost in tennis. Of course, it was my job, it was important to me. But sports are not important. In the end, it's just a game.

When a friend's leg is torn off before your eyes, your perspective on life changes completely. I wouldn't wish such an experience on anyone," he said.