In this article, we get to know Mariya Mitsova, the world number 72 in women’s singles, a little better as she answers questions about how she started playing badminton, what she likes to do in her free time at tournaments and what she would be doing if she wasn’t playing badminton for a living.  

How did you start playing badminton?

- I have an older sister. She was already playing two years before me so I kind of followed her example. 

What do you do in your spare time when you are not in the badminton hall or at the gym?

- I like to try different things - I like to broaden my knowledge any way possible. 

What is your best badminton memory and why?

- My highest achievement and best memory until now was winning the silver medal at the European Women's Team Championships in Kazan, Russia with the Bulgarian team. 

Read: Are you ready for some live badminton?

If you could choose one player to play doubles with, who would it be and why?

- Liliyana Natsir - she’s too skilled at the net. 

When you are at tournaments, what do you like to do when you are not playing matches or warming up?

- In my free time at tournaments I like to relax as much as possible and I do that by enjoying a good book.

Who is your favourite player of all-time and why?

- Carolina Marin - because she breaks traditions (Asian dominance in the world or Danish in Europe). She carries such a message only a few people do. 

If you weren’t playing badminton, what would you be doing then?

- Probably event management or something with marketing and PR. 

Watch Mariya Mitsova against Gadde Ruthvika Shivani from India at the Austrian Open 2020 below.