Checking in With Dina Chaika of Women's Tennis
March 30, 2020 | Women's Tennis
A quick Q&A from Sophomore from Russia
Checking in with sophomore Dina Chaika of the women's tennis team. She comes to Louisville from Lermontov, Russia.Â
Q: What are your thoughts on spring season being cancelled?
A:Â "It is sad since I really feel like we could've done some great things. Our team this year is unbelievable and I wish we had more chance to show it."
Q: What are you doing with yourself during your free time?
A:Â "I try to learn new things - some new languages or a musical instrument. I can also just read books and get ahead of the school program."
Q: What did you have originally planned for spring break and what are you actually doing?
A:Â "Originally, I planned to finish all the season matches, improve our performance in ACC championship from the last year's, try to get to NCAA's and then go home. But now I have tons of free time instead, I can't play tennis yet and I'm sitting in my room since I can't go home because of the virus."
Q: How are you continuing to stay in shape during this time?
A: "I do some running outside and workout at home using whatever I have at hand."
Q: Your impressions on the spring season up to this point?
A: "I feel like even though we played well in matches, we still could've done better. and can keep on improving."
Q: What will you miss most about being on campus?
A: "I am still on campus. But I miss Thornton's dining hall."
Q: Have you and your teammates been keeping in contact through all of this and how?
A:Â "We have, we message each other every day through IMessages."
Q: Is there anything you would like to say to Card Nation?
A: "I feel everything happens for a reason. We can spend our time and emotions on trying to complain about this whole situation and get mad but nothing will change. The best advice here would be to let thing that you can't control happen to you. Maybe that's what you need right now the most. Who knows? Maybe we, as people from all around the world and as Cards particularly, needed this break."
Q: What is your favorite memory of this season prior to the sudden end?
A:Â "I think every day for me is a favorite memory because every day with my team is unique and I love them all. I love every practice, every match and every day spent together. I don't think I could choose one specific out of all them and disregard all the others. But one of the best memories I've had in this spring season was our trip to Hawai'i for an invitational in the very beginning of the semester. Even though we didn't get to play much since it was raining we still got to feel some outside play before we actually started practicing outside at home. Plus we had tons of fun."
Q: What is your favorite memory as a Cardinal? (try to tell a short story)
A:Â "Again, it's really hard for me to pick a single one because every day is unforgettable. But if I still had to answer, I would say that my favorite memory is being accepted to this program. The second i became the Cardinal was a turning point of my life and I cannot imagine anything better than that right now."
Q: Are you home or on campus? (Either way, what have you been doing ? what have you binged watched, hobbies, etc.)
A: "I'm on campus. I've been studying big time, trying to keep up with my German language skills, to learn the Greek language, learn how to play piano, read books and watch Game of Thrones."
Q: How have people in your family been directly affected by the virus? Â
A: "The most disappointing effect that the virus had on us was that I was unable to go home. I only get one chance a year to go see my family and it's in summer. But this summer I guess we are going to learn how to become more independent from each other."
Players Mentioned
