The oldest tennis player in the world decided to stay in Ukraine despite the war: “I will not leave my country”

The dream of Leonid Stanislavski it became a reality when the ukrainian came to play with the legend Rafael Nadal last October. for the man of 97 years, considered the tennis player oldest in the world, that pleasant moment will be marked forever, not only because the former number one in the world gave him his affection in that rally, but also a little time later a war broke out in his country due to the invasion of Russia.

“I hope to live to be a hundred years old. I have to deal with this scary situation. The war started on February 24 and I have practically not gone out since. I have a fridge full of food. I sit at home and I’m not going anywhere. I will not leave my country”, explained Stanislavski, who is in Kharkiv, one of the cities hardest hit by armed hostilities.

That rally with Nadal

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jg8peqWFOKg

About to turn 98, having been born on March 22, 1924, he has been playing tennis for almost seventy. Until before the war he was participating in the category over 90 of the ITF Super Senior World Championships, and in October he fulfilled the desire to share a court with his idol, the Spanish Nadal. One and the other talked, exchanged signs of affection and came to rally. Stanislavski looked vigorous. TO Despite his longevity, he keeps his punches intact.

But that pleasure would be left behind and life would turn into a tragedy when Russia invaded Ukraine. “My daughter Tanya is in Poland, she wants to take me there. But I decided to stay here. I’m hard of hearing, so I sleep at night and don’t hear anything. Last night there were bombings and at night sirens sounded”, commented Leonid, who is living his second war conflict: in his youth participated in World War II working as an engineer, in charge of building and repairing Soviet aircraft.

Today, Russia itself – the largest and most powerful nation of that Soviet Union – attacks its people. Like the rest of the world, Stanislavski cannot believe what he is experiencing: “I never imagined that I would have to live through this new, more terrifying war, in which people from both sides will die. Mothers lose their children, wives lose their husbands. What’s this? What are the benefits? There can be no war in the 21st century. The war must end and an agreement must be reached,” he cried.

Beyond the fact that a quick solution to the conflict is not seen, he maintains the hope that it will end soon, so that he can return to the courts. “I’m not afraid of anyone. If I got to Poland, I could play there, but I decided to stay home and wait for the war to end”, he concluded, enthusiastic at 97 years old.