Leonid Stanislavsky is the oldest tennis player in the world. He turns 98 this month and holds the Guinness World Record.

Rafael Nadal recently welcomed him to his academy in Mallorca, fulfilling the Ukrainian veteran’s wish to swap balls with his idol.

Having lived through World War II, he hoped that the days of bloodshed and destruction were over, but Leonid Stanislavsky was again forced to show boundless courage and disobedience.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine leaves the 98-year-old stranded at his home in Kharkov, where he has lived for 60 years, while invaders besiege and bombard Ukraine’s second city.

Stanislavsky is in close contact with the World Tennis Federation and the Ukrainian federation and confirms he is receiving food packages.

“I survived World War II. I will survive now” said the veteran tennis player, who previously worked as an engineer building Soviet fighter planes during the war against the Nazis.

“I never thought I would go through that again. When Putin massed our forces on our border, I didn’t think he was going to launch a full-scale invasion. But Putin did it and he is responsible for the massacre that is happening now. Young men, civilians: “Women and children are dying. Putin and the rest of the world, end the war. Say no to the war.” Stanislavski added, continuing his heartbreaking message.

“I’m sitting at home, I can’t get out and there are explosions everywhere. I warmed up a chicken thigh and made a soup. Life goes on and I need to eat. This war has to stop. I want to play tennis. The Unicourt Tennis Club and Superior’ tennis club is closed. Shame on the war. Let’s live and play tennis. I have to celebrate my 100th birthday.” he said.

source: tennis24