Two months ago, Leonid Stanislavskyi was holed up in Kharkiv as his nation’s second city was pounded by Russian bombs, now he is back doing what he loves – and he is flying the Ukrainian flag with pride.

There was more than a sense of occasion when Stanislavskyi took to the court earlier this week at the ITF Super Seniors World Individual Championships in Palm Beach County, Florida for his first-round match with George McCabe of the United States.

The 98-year-old, who is regarded as the oldest competitive tennis player in the world, received a rousing reception as he walked out, bedecked in Ukrainian colours, to face his opponent.

It was a special moment although, in truth, Stanislavskyi has been mobbed wherever he has been lately and, together with all Ukrainian players who continue to compete as war rages back home, has become a symbol of hope and defiance.

“Now, it’s a terrible time in Ukraine because there is war,” said Stanislavskyi. “I am alone here and for me to represent Ukraine in this moment is very important. It is an honour for me to play tennis in the United States right now and to represent Ukraine.

“One day ago, I met two Ukrainian friends named Kate and Elister and they gave me a Ukrainian flag. I felt Ukraine closer to me.”

In the weeks following Russia’s advancement into Ukraine, Stanislavskyi remained in his Kharkiv residence – his home for more than 60 years – and vowed that having survived World War II, he would live beyond the current conflict.

As the bloodshed and devastation continued – he revealed in a previous interview that the “sound of explosions were everywhere” – Stanislavskyi made the heart-wrenching decision to flee Ukraine and seek sanctuary.

It was an arduous journey but having made his way to the Slovakian border, the nonagenarian – after enquiring whether he could play tennis in the coming days – eventually met with his daughter, Tanya, in Lublin, Poland.

Immediately becoming a member of Lublin Tennis Club, he was a guest at Poland’s Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier against Romania in Radom last month and even had an impromptu hit with the Polish doubles team, Magdalena Frech and Alicja Rosolska.

Unsurprisingly, throughout this period of darkness and all the trials and tribulations facing a besieged nation, the thought of returning to the court and freely contesting global events proved an enormous source of comfort.

While other Ukrainians have not been so fortunate and remain in the depths of war – or worse, Stanislavskyi is seizing the opportunity to promote his nation on the world stage. Tennis has certainly fortified his resolve.

“Tennis for me is life,” added Stanislavskyi, who previously worked as an engineer and helped build Soviet warplanes to fight the Nazis.

“When I was younger, I did not imagine that tennis would play a big role in my life. But now, I feel it all the time. I could not live without tennis.”

Stanislavskyi was unable to defeat McCabe, who is eight years his junior, although the elder statesman was far from disgraced and showed considerable fighting spirit before succumbing 6-1 6-1. There was, of course, a wider context to this showdown.

“My favourite part of this game was playing an American player who is younger than me by eight years, and he let me feel stronger,” said Stanislavskyi. “George played very well, but I liked the competition. It was a beautiful game and a powerful one.

“It’s not easy for me to be here. Don’t forget my age, I’m 98, but I tried to be strong.”

Strong, like the rest of Ukraine, Stanislavskyi certainly is.

Tennis Plays For Peace, launched in March by the seven tennis governing bodies – the ITF, WTA, ATP and the four Grand Slams – supports humanitarian relief efforts for the war in Ukraine, with money going to Global Giving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund. So far, more than $1m has been raised. To donate, click here.

The ITF Super-Seniors World Championships provides competitive opportunities for players aged 65 and above, with Stanislavskyi competing in the 90s-and-over category. For more information, click here.