Women's World Team Championship: interview with Milena Velichko

This year, Ukraine is taking part in the Women's World Team Championship for the first time.

A few weeks ago, the World Squash Federation interviewed the number one of the Ukrainian team, the 125th racket of the world Anastasia Kostyukova. We decided to support this initiative and learn a little more about our juniors. Today we will talk with the 14th racket of the European ranking and the fifth among girls under 17 Milena Velichko.

Tell us about how you got into squash and when you started playing?

"Since childhood, I have always been fond of sports: swimming, gymnastics, various types of martial arts. But as a result, I made my final choice on squash at the age of nine, and I continue to believe that it was the right decision."

What does the path from "zero" to playing at the World Cup for your country mean to you?

"Of course, I am glad that I will play and represent Ukraine at a competition of this level. This is a big step for our team and for me as an individual player. The opportunity to meet world-class players on the court and observe their behavior and play live. This is an invaluable experience that is not easy to acquire and impossible to forget."

Are there any players or teams at this championship that you would especially like to play against?

"Of course, the game with each of the teams will not pass without a trace and you can take something useful for yourself from each of them. I think I would like to meet some of the best players and teams, namely: England, USA, Egypt."

What are your goals for this championship?

"From this tournament, I want to get the most experience, pure sports pleasure, positive emotions and the fulfillment of the tasks I have set. I am looking forward to my first and by no means last meeting with the world squash elite."

The Women's World Team Squash Championship is a biennial international tournament featuring four teams from each country competing on a best-of-three basis. This year's championship will be held at the Madinata Sports Club, Cairo, Egypt, from December 10 to 16.