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Dick Jaspers, billiards is concentration, motivation and passion

01/10/2011

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© © Guillaume Loiseau
Dick Jaspers on the start of another year on top?

ETTEN-LEUR - Can it be any better than it was last year? Yes, of course, because Dick Jaspers only was not so satisfied with his performance at the World championship, despite a fantastic year. He realizes, nevertheless, that in such a tournament, especially, you need a little luck and you need the shape of the day for a major role.

Much more than in 2010 Jaspers actually can not wish for this year. The European title, the World Cup overall, the Agipi Masters for the second time, the title and the cup in the Dutch league, it are just some successes in a row.

The start of this year again was very spectacular. Jaspers played in his first match for the Dutch league on Saturday a match of fifty points in eleven innings and even was in the eighth inning close to the world record match average.
The ambitions and the passion are still there, despite so many years at the top.
An interview with the 45-year-old world number one.

Frits Bakker: Top players as Torbjörn Blomdahl and Dániel Sanchez, who has been in the top five for many years, had a little reclapse in the past years. Dick Jaspers didn't, he always remained on top. May we say there is no player more consistent in the three cushion than Jaspers?
Dick Jaspers: ,,Ik really don't know if I am the most consistently, but I am constantly performing well and certainly play with high averages. That will not guarantee that there could'nt be a relapse, because that's very human. So I keep both feet on the ground. I know how difficult it can be and what I have to do for it. And it can easily just go wrong. Sánchez and Blomdahl have had a slight drop in the rankings, but they can be back on top of the world in 2011. They are both fantastic and experienced players who have great talent. We all know that. Wins and losses are simply very close together.


FB: Where do you find the huge motivation, concentration and ambition to show it every year and in every tournament?
DJ: ,,I can never play on my strongest level without the highest concentration. So that is an essential part of the performance I'm trying to deliver. I feel huge satisfaction when I play that perfect match. And I always play billiard with passion and enthusiasm, that's just my character, I am a perfectionist.''

FB: How do you look at the year in which you won the European championship, the Agipi Masters for the second time, the overall World Cup and you recaptured the first place in the world?
DJ: ,,It was a very good year for me. I also will remember you to the record in the Dutch premier league, an overall average of 2.066 in 21 matches. I look back on 2010 with great satisfaction!''

FB: The new development at the top is the definitive emergence of a few young players. How do you see the breakthrough of the rise and shining Filippos Kasidokostas, who is already for some years on top. And another player, Peter Ceulemans? Two players who have no history in other disciplines, that's curious. Has it nothing to do with the development in three cushion?
DJ: ,,You can be a very strong player in three cushion without having done the classic games, that's no problem in fact. I myself experience it as an advantage that I grew up with free game, balk line and one cushion. The drive for perfection comes from my development as a player in those disciplins, I think.''

FB: What would be your aIdvise to young players: first learn the basics, or simply start with three cushion?
DJ: ,,You must follow your mind and know where the passion lies. If it lies already in three cushion, you must do it. I would say, the technical part is always the most important thing to learn.''

FB: How is life beside the billiardl? You settled up in a new house with your family, you have two growing children, a busy life for Andrea and you. Does a top player like you are still find some time to practice? And how many hours do you practice actually beside playing matches?
DJ: ,,I try to dose my practicing and take my time to relaxe at the time. Sometimes I practice, still quite a lot (four hours per day), but also I take my rest for a few days. That's good for my concentration, it cannot be every day on top. I take good distance from billiard if I can, to focus on my family.''

FB: How much did you practice previously, as a young player on his way to the world top?

DJ: ,,I've always been very regular in my practicing. Not many hours on one day, for example six or seven. But it was always in my mind, I always used my great ambitions and inspiration for reaching the top.  Sometimes I wasted my school, which I regret, actually.''

FB: What is the best, in your vision, for a young player to get to the top, having a lot of lessons, many hours of practicing or a combination of both?
DJ: ,,I'm convinced that you can learn a lot from watching good players. But of course you must follow lessons, especially if the base is not as strong. But don't forget: it is important that you do it with pleasure and passion.''

FB: How difficult will it be for you to equal or even improve the previous year?
DJ: ,,That's not easy, I know, to match or improve. I don't want to think of high expectations, but try to focus on my games. It's going to be a very busy year with a lot of travelling, many interesting tournaments. I wonder how I can perform again in 2011. I will just do my best, for sure, to continue my high level.''

 

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