Dologopolov Tones Down His Ukraine Activism

Written by: Staff on 6th April 2014

Dologopolov Tones Down His Ukraine Activism

epa04143711 Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine reacts after losing a point to Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic during a quarter final match at the Sony Open tennis tournament on Key Biscayne in Miami, Florida, USA, 27 March 2014. Berdych later won the match in two sets. EPA/ERIK S. LESSER |

After an initial flourish of outspoken concern over the political situation in his troubled Ukraine homeland, Alexandr Dolgopolov realizes there may be little as an athlete that he can actually do to influence the situation.

The No. 23 who lost an Indian Wells semi-final to Roger Federer recently, a few weeks ago produced a video featuring other top players voicing concern for the situation before Russian annexed the Ukraine’s Crimean peninsula, a move which went ahead relatively peacefully.

With the deed a fait accompli, Dolgopolov can now add little more from his side. “As I said every day almost in the press, I can’t do much there,” said the 25-year-old. “And there is no really sense every day to talk about the politics, because it’s their work and not mine. I can just support the people.

After being on the ATP road in South American and US for the past month and a half, Dolgopolov’s grasp of the Ukrainian situation is approximately that of any other interested bystander around the world.

“There is no sense of me saying what I think about it, I mean, because it’s political. I don’t want to get into politics. I am a tennis player. It’s the politicians’ work to solve those problems.

“Of course, it’s not nice it’s not calm now in the country, but hopefully it will get past and we’re going to be safe and living there fine. There’s nothing more to say really.”

content Via Larson’s wire Service.

Topics: Alexandr Dolgopolov, Atp, Federer, Indian Wells, Tennis News, Ukraine