For someone who spends his days chasing squash balls around a court, Velavan Senthilkumar has his eyes on a rather bigger prize: an Olympic medal. Fresh from the Asian Games with two bronzes, the Chennai-based squash player knows a thing or two about nail-biting rallies, fine margins and the occasional what-could-have-been. Between historic wins, gruelling travel and the art of keeping his cool under pressure, there’s plenty to unpack. But ask him what he really craves when he’s back home, and the answer has nothing to do with medals. Excerpts:When bronze comes with a heartbreakWinning two medals at his debut Asian Games was special, but the mixed doubles semifinal with Joshna Chinappa came painfully close to delivering more. India were 10-7 up on match ball against Hong Kong before losing the decider. “It was a heartbreak to lose the match, which could have gotten us an assured silver, so I was a bit disappointed and upset with that,” says Velavan, adding, “We do have a lot of potential to win many more medals in the upcoming events.”A historic win, at homeThe 2025 Squash World Cup victory in Chennai offered a different kind of high. Playing in front of a home crowd made India’s first title all the more meaningful. “It’s always different when you win somewhere else, but there’s always a difference when you win at home in front of your family and friends,” he admits.Finding his flowHis Budapest Open title and 2017 British Junior Open win remain career highlights. “I put in a lot of work this summer and in the off-season. I didn’t really focus on the result. Instead, I was just being very present and in the moment, and everything just was in a flow state,” he says.‘I don’t like to think about squash when I’m spending time with family or friends’Off court, Velavan prefers to switch off from squash. Away from competition, Velavan likes to leave the sport behind. “I’m quite relaxed off the court. I don’t really like to think about squash when I’m spending time with family or friends. I just like to have a great time and enjoy myself,” he says. To him, Barcelona, where he trained for a couple of years, remains a favourite. Budapest is another city he enjoyed exploring beyond the tournament. “I had an amazing time off court, exploring the city and the architecture. It was amazing,” he shares.The Chennai comfort menuFor all the cities he has seen, home remains home. With professional sport demanding constant travel, time with family and friends is precious. And his ideal return to Chennai comes with a very specific menu. “I think the one thing I love to eat when I come back home is a nice mutton biryani with a chilled zero-sugar cola and some artisanal ice cream. I think that’s my go-to cheat meal whenever I’m back home because I crave that a lot when I think of home,” he laughs.The next big courtFor now, the sacrifices, particularly missing time with loved ones, are part of the professional journey he is choosing to cherish. His sights are firmly set on Los Angeles 2028. “My next big goal would be to get into the Olympics and hopefully win a medal for the country. And of course, the ranking required to make it there would be the top 20, which is another goal for me,” concludes Velavan.Written By:Aashna Reddy