LONDON, June 26, 2022 (BSS/AFP) - It's been nine years since Sergiy

Stakhovksy stunned Roger Federer at Wimbledon in a Centre Court seismic
shock.

This weekend Stakhovksy is 2,500km away from London, dressed in fatigues
rather than tennis whites.

The 36-year-old is armed, desperately fighting to hold back Russia's invasion
of Ukraine.

"This used to be us.... Now this is our @Wimbledon .... Last night 62 rockets
were launched to attack different cities in Ukraine.. #stoprussia
#boycottrussia #helpukraine @TheDolgo," tweeted Stakhovsky.

In his tweeted photographs, Stakhovksy is seen shaking hands with Federer
after his 2013 victory.

Also pictured is Ukrainian compatriot Alexandr Dolgopolov after his match
against Federer at Wimbledon in 2017.

Both men are retired from tennis; both are now in the military.

Wimbledon, which starts on Monday, has banned all Russian and Belarusian
players from this year's tournament.

That ruled out men's world number one Daniil Medvedev and eighth-ranked
Andrey Rublev.

On the women's side, three of the top 20 are missing -- Aryna Sabalenka,
Daria Kastakina and two-time major winner and former number one Victoria
Azarenka.

- Ban 'not fair' -

Stakhovsky wants Russians banned from all sports.

However, six-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic believes that would be a
step too far.

"I just don't see how they have contributed to anything that is really
happening. I don't feel it's fair," said Djokovic, adding that Russian and
Belarusians be allowed to play under neutral flags.

That's what happens in the week-in, week-out ATP and WTA tours.

When Wimbledon announced its ban, the two tours retaliated by stripping the
tournament of ranking points.

"In terms of the response from the ATP, I didn't really agree with it. I just
don't see who it helps," said two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray.

"All the players have still showed up to play here, so I don't see how it
puts the ATP in a stronger position moving forwards."

In a further move, Wimbledon said it will provide tournament tickets to
Ukrainian refugees living in the local areas of south-west London.

All England Club officials will also donate œ250,000 (290,000 euros/$306,000)
to the refugees' charity.

That humanitarian gesture, however, hasn't softened Nick Kyrgios' belief that
the ban was ill-advised.

"I don't think it was a good idea to ban the Russian players. Medvedev is the
best we have in our sport right now," said the Australian player.

"Whenever we have cameras on and a lot of people tuning in, you want our best
players to be on showcase for the sport to grow.

"I'm disappointed they're not here. It's weird not seeing Medvedev here."

US superstar Serena Williams opted to sidestep the controversy.

"Another heavy subject that involves a tremendous amount of politics, from
what I understand, and government. I'm going to step away from that," said
the seven-time Wimbledon champion.

Despite the official ban, there are still plenty of Russian-born players
taking part at Wimbledon.

Alexander Bublik was born in Gatchina and Mikhail Kukushkin hails from
Volgograd but they represent Kazakhstan.

Yulia Putintseva and Elena Rybakina also play for Kazakhstan despite being
born in Moscow.

One player has got round the Russia-Belarus ban with a last-minute switch.

Moscow-born Natela Dzalamidze, a 29-year-old doubles player, last week
changed her nationality from Russian to Georgian and will compete in the
women's doubles at Wimbledon with Serbia's Aleksandra Krunic.