In a harrowing account, ex-Ukrainian tennis sensation Alexandr Dolgopolov shared the challenges of life on the battlefield amid the ongoing conflict with Russia. The former Australian Open quarterfinalist, who has been actively involved in the fight for Ukraine, described the constant danger and the traumatic experience of witnessing injuries and deaths.
Dolgopolov, who previously excelled on the tennis court, has spent the last year in the thick of the conflict. Reflecting on the intensity of the battlefield, he revealed the nerve-wracking moments when incoming rounds approached, emphasizing the uncertainty of whether they would hit dangerously close to his position.
“It has been tough on the battlefield in the last year. When they are firing and getting really close, you know they know approximately where you are. When the round exits, you hear that and then you have the few seconds where it is flying – it is like loud whistles coming in – and then you feel the impact,” Dolgopolov recounted in an interview with BBC Radio 4.
Having served as a drone operator in the Zaporizhzhia region, Dolgopolov has returned to Kyiv, but his commitment to the cause persists as he awaits his next assignment.
Detailing the predominant dangers he faces, Dolgopolov highlighted the constant threats posed by artillery fire and aircraft. Recounting a particularly challenging day, he shared the distressing experience of mortar rounds landing close to his unit, emphasizing the intensity of the situation with approximately 20 rounds fired in their direction.
While Dolgopolov acknowledged that his unit has been fortunate in avoiding significant casualties, he expressed the somber reality of regularly hearing about injuries and deaths among fellow soldiers, both within and outside his unit.
“We haven’t had too many close people dead, but many have been injured. We hear a lot about other guys from other units, and friends of friends, dying. The longer it goes, the more people are dead,” Dolgopolov solemnly stated.
Amidst the uncertainties and perils of warfare, Alexandr Dolgopolov’s transition from the tennis court to the battlefield underscores the harsh realities faced by individuals caught in the midst of conflict.
