It was not quite business as usual on the ATP World Tour for Alexandr Dolgopolov and Sergiy Stakhovsky last week.The top two Ukrainian players were in competition in two different continents on two different surfaces, yet their thoughts were not completely focused on tennis.

For Stakhovsky, it was a quick stay in Marseille, France, falling to Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the second round after defeating Daniel Evans in the indoor hard-court event. Meanwhile, on the clay of Rio de Janeiro, Dolgopolov was enjoying his best result since 2012. There, the world no. 38 defeated Nicolas Almagro, Fabio Fognini and David Ferrer before succumbing to Rafael Nadal in the final. It was easily the best tennis from the 25 year in quite some time.

However, the joy felt in Rio was in stark contrast to the situation in Kiev, the birthplace of both players. The Ukrainian city was in a state of unrest last week while they were competing far away.

In this modern era of technology, it is not uncommon for athletes to take to social media to voice their thoughts. This was no exception for Stakhovsky and Dolgopolov, who used the internet to convey their thoughts on the turmoil occurring in their homeland. Clear views of concern, compassion and pride were delivered via Twitter and other outlets during the week. Although both players were consummate professionals in their respective tournaments on the ATP World Tour, their thoughts were centered not only on tennis but their friends and families in Kiev.

“My city will not fall on its knees,” tweeted Stakhovsky the day after his elimination from Marseille.  As the week unfolded, his communications were dominated by descriptions of the heartache and chaos in the streets of his home. One could sense the pride and heartfelt sentiment of his homeland as “Glory to Ukraine” and “Dedicated to Heroes Square” were conveyed through video links, songs and words.

Dolgopolov displayed similar views throughout his successful week. “Hopefully it stops ASAP and the country will live peacefully like before,” he tweeted early in the week. He had given thought to withdrawing from the Rio tournament, as had some Ukrainian Olympians competing in Sochi. Dolgopolov dismissed the idea, believing that there would be no change in the situation by virtue of his exit. However, he was clearly in touch with the turbulence.

On the day of one of his biggest career victories, against Ferrer, Dolgopolov did not tweet about tennis. Instead, his thoughts were on his homeland. “It's sad that people are dying in your country by conflict,” said Dolgopolov.

Last week was a reminder of just how global the game of tennis is. Competitors come from every corner of the world, all dealing with circumstances in their backyards that personally affect them in one way or another. And though, like most players who gain success, both Dolgopolov and Stakhovsky have established residences elsewhere that reflect their prosperity. But their ties to home through family and friends remain. Much like Maria Sharapova, who returned to Sochi before the beginning of the Winter Olympics proclaiming how special it was to see it again, the emotions never fade.

Often, these athletes are looked upon only for the monetary gain afforded by their success and the lifestyle that comes with it. It is easily forgotten that, while tennis is a game, it is also their livelihood. But there is a life beyond the lines for those who have worked to become the best at their craft. Last week was an example of two players whose lives were put into perspective by events that personally affected them outside of tennis.

This week, the ATP World Tour moves to its next destinations, and Dolgopolov and Stakhovsky will continue the path of their profession. In Kiev, unrest may or may not continue. However, the two top Ukrainian players will certainly have a finger on the pulse of their home on one hand, while hoping to polish their serves and groundstrokes on the other. Thus is life on the road for these global athletes.