President Viktor Yanukovych is nothing if not secretive about his personal life. Ukrainians know very little about his time with family, his hobbies or interests. One thing the president has revealed, though, is his passion for sports.
Two years ago Yanukovych invited several TV hosts to his home and directed
their attention to a path of short stumps leading uphill. Running on the stumps
was his everyday exercise routine, he said, as well as swimming five kilometers
in his outdoor pool.
But it turns out Yanukovych’s favorite activity is
tennis.
Ministry of Sports’ magazine Olympiiska Arena has
published an interview in its August 2013 issue in which the president
discusses his affection for the sport.
Yanukovych, who has given a very limited number of interviews and
press-conferences in three years of his presidency, gives detailed responses to
15 questions for Olympiiska Arena.
Now 63, the president reveals that he first played tennis 13 years ago,
when a long-time friend presented him with a tennis racket, suggesting that if
Yanukovych trains well they may play together in several years.
“Then I promised myself that this game will be played in two months, not
several years. I devoted all my free time to practicing,” he said, adding that
in the end he won the match with the friend.
The magazine
claims, that “according to experts, the president is one of ten best tennis
players of his age in Ukraine.” It doesn’t give any names of the mentioned
experts, however.
Answering a question about secret techniques he uses in tennis, Yanukovych
said that he plays with his left hand, even though he’s a right-hander, making
it harder for his opponents to counter his shots.
“I recently watched the sensational game between (Serhiy) Stakhovskiy and
(Roger) Federer. I’ve sent Serhiy my greetings on his victory, and he’s sent me
back his racket that he used in a game with Federer. I really appreciate this gift.
It’s a gift from the heart,” Yanukovych said.
In the interview the president also confesses his love for football.
According to him, he’s been a fan of Donetsk football club Shakhtar since
childhood.
Kyiv Post
lifestyle editor Olga Rudenko can be reached at [email protected].
