COPENHAGEN/BOTTROP - Danish billiards has the current number 2 in ladies billiards in Europe in the house and is one of the countries with more young talents on the way. Charlotte Sörensen is the leading lady of the generation that should eventually be able to match with Therese Klompenhouwer in international tournaments. This weekend, the second Predator Grand Prix for women is played in Bottrop, Germany. ’’We are happy with these events and hope they will help the progression of women's billiards in general,'' 40 year old Charlotte Sörensen from Holbaek said in the days before the lady's Grand Prix.
Kozoom spoke to the Danish player, responding to questions about the Grand Prix, developments in Denmark, the atmosphere in women's billiards and her own progression.
Kozoom/Frits Bakker: How are you at the start of the summer, Charlotte? Are you looking back on a good year with billiards, are you satisfied with your development?
Charlotte Sörensen: Even though I’m not practicing so hard now, as I was earlier this year, I still practice quite a lot for staying in form and hopefully keep improving my game as I have the last couple of months. I’m very satisfied with the 22/23 season, especially the last few months where I have improved quite a lot, and had some good finals against Therese. Also I’m very satisfied with this season.
Kozoom/FB: What kind of summer is it going to be? This week's Grand Prix in Bottrop, then holiday? Any plans to go outside Denmark?
Charlotte: After the Grand Prix, I have one week of vacation from both work and billiard, then it is back to the table and practice for the upcoming WCBS championship, where I’m playing for Europe B. So not much vacation for me this year from either work or billard.
Kozoom/FB: How is women's billiards doing in Denmark? Are there any other talents besides yourself who could make a step to the ladies' top?
Charlotte: Billard in general in Denmark is getting more members the last few years, going from around 8.000 to 10.000 members. Among these are also a lot of women, so this is very positive. I hope we can draw some of these over to the carom-table, either playing 5-pins or 3-cushion. Then we have Nanna Petersen, who is already an established 3C player, and I hope she will continue developing and work hard, because she is very talented.
Kozoom/FB: What is the Danish federation doing to train and develop talents in general and young ladies in particular?
Charlotte: We have a talent group under the Danish Federation, where Tonny Carlsen is the coach. I’m the oldest, among the group of 5-7 players. The other players are young ones between 18-25, where Nanna is also included. We meet 2-3 times in a year for training camps, and I often talk to Tonny over the phone, evaluating matches, getting training tips etc. We also have a mental coach assigned us, which helps with the mental side of the game. I see this setup as a big reason for my improvement and results the last couple of years - besides practicing a lot by myself.
Kozoom/FB: How do you feel about the Grand Prix tournaments with the women's top? It is mainly a field of players who have been at the top for many years, you are quite new? Is there competition, friendship, is the atmosphere between them good?
Charlotte: I think, its great, that CEB has made Ladies Grand Prix and I hope it continues. Both for the top and width for women’s 3C, I think, it’s needed. There is great friendship and competition, and I feel very welcomed in the 3C environment.
Kozoom/FB: With what kind of ambition are you leaving for the Grand Prix?
Charlotte: I hope, I’m still seeing progress, as I have the last few months. My goal is to keep my 2nd place at the EC-ranking, and get a wildcard for the European 3 Cushion individual 2024.
Kozoom/FB: How was it in the previous Grand Prix: did you do what you expected?
Charlotte: I played a really good tournament in Valencia. I had some really good matches, where both my low- and high level increased compared to the tournaments before Valencia, so it was more than I hoped for. I had a good final against Therese, where I managed to come back in the match, at times where she was about to run away from me. She still did in the end, but I feel, I pressured her, and I’m getting closer to her, so I’m very satisfied with that tournament.
Kozoom/FB: When you look ahead to next season, so after the summer, what are your plans?
Charlotte: I hope to play the WC for women in September, so I will continue practicing over the summer and get some coaching in DK. Nationally, I’ll probably get my debut with some matches in the highest team competition in DK, so hopefully this will give me more experience, and keep the improvement.
Kozoom/FB: We all know that Therese has been winning it all for almost years now. What needs to happen to break that hegemony, let’s say at least for 1 tournament?
Charlotte: I don’t know. My focus is on my own process in 3cushion, have high quality in my practice and still have a balance in my life.
Charlotte Sörensen on the way to more progress in her gam