Russia's invasion of neighboring Ukraine continues costing innocent lives—and touching the tennis world.
Sergiy Stakhovsky, who retired from the ATP Tour earlier this year and returned to his native Ukraine to fight for his homeland, has called out some of his former ATP colleagues, including Rafael Nadal, over comments criticizing Wimbledon for banning Russian's and Belarusians.
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Now, Stakhovsky is calling out Serbians Janko Tipsarevic and Viktor Troicki for putting "money above morals."
The Serbian pair are playing an exhibition in St. Petersburg.
Stakhovsky posted his private messages to the pair condemning their actions—and the blistering replies he received.
Both Trocki and Tipsarevic essentially tell Stakhovsky: where was your outrage when our country was being bombed?
"You are an Instagram clown who confused politics and sports," the message from Troicki's account responds. "So please shut the fuck up."
A smiling clown face emoji capped the response, presumably underscoring Troicki trashing Stakhovsky as "an Instagram clown."
Tipsarevic snarkily labels Stakhovsky "Mr. Instagram Freedom Fighter" in his response, which doesn't address Stakhovsky's criticism and does not go unnoticed by the Ukrainian serve-and-volleyer.
"Enjoy the cash," Stakhovsky replies, adding, "Instagram Freedom fighter, nice of you."
Though Stakhovsky posted the thread with the comment "the Serbian opinion..." the fact is it was Serbian Novak Djokovic who was among the first pros to offer aid to Stakhovsky shortly after Russia's invasion of Ukraine last February.
Last March, Stakhovsky shared this What's App message exchange he had with Djokovic.
The former world No. 1 offered financial and other support to Stakhovsky.
“Thinking of you... hope all calms down soon,” Djokovic wrote to Stakhovsky.
“Please let me know what would be the best address to send help. Financial help, any other help as well...”
Stahovsky captioned his post of the exchange with Novak writing “Thank you for your support. Ukraine is grateful.”
Clearly, Stakhovsky is not feeling the love or support from Troicki or Tipsarevic, suggesting they've sold out the Ukraine people by playing in Russia.
Photo credit: Getty