Ukrainian tennis star Stakhovsky enlists to defend country from Russia - “I pretty much hope that I won't have to use the gun"

Retired Ukrainian tennis player Sergiy Stakhovsky has declared he hopes not to have to use a gun after enlisting to help defend his country from the Russian invasion.

The 36-year old, who reached a career-high ranking of World No.31 in 2010, is best known for his upset of Roger Federer at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships. The Ukrainian retired after this year's Australian Open, and has since returned to help his nation in their expulsion of invading Russian forces.

Men between the ages of 18 and 60 have been ordered to stay in the country and fight as the Ukrainian government looks to slow Russia's attacks.

“I know how to use the gun. If I'll have to, I'll have to,” Stakhovsky said on BBC Radio 4's Today program. “I pretty much hope that I won't have to use the gun.”

Stakhovsky, who revealed his ‘horrible’ decision to leave his wife and children at home, added. “I’m still not sure how I've done it.

“I know that it's extremely hard on my wife. My kids don't know that I'm here. They don't understand war. They're too little to understand what's going on."