NIJKERK - The Dutch world billiards champion Therese Klompenhouwer will stop playing Grand Prix tournaments in her own country from next year and therefore not be able to qualify for the Masters, the tournament for the Dutch title. The full calendar of the 39-year-old player, who has been the best women's player in the world for many years, has prompted her to make choices. ''I actually cannot motivate myself very well for Grand Prix events anymore,'' Therese announced the striking news. ''For the World Cups, women's tournaments and Dutch and foreign competitions, I have the fighter's mindset that made me strong. I miss that mindset in the Grand Prix tournaments.''
She made that decision after Therese became world champion for the fifth time in Heerhugowaard last month. ''I took a look at the calendar: the European federation will do more for ladies, with a Grand Prix in Valencia and a European championship for nation teams, where I would like to play and win with Karina Jetten. I will play at least three World Cups, the championships and invitational tournaments. That's busy enough, so for the Grand Prix tournaments I will cancel from next year. That I won't be able to play the Masters then, is really a pity, also there I lacked the motivation and ambition I can show for the important championships.''
Therese Klompenhouwer also argues that the costs often do not outweigh the earnings. ''All is getting more expensive, that also plays a sideways role. For example, for the Grand Prix in Sittard, how nice the tournament was, I spent about three, four hundred euros and then, when I made it to the top sixteen, I earned 100 euros. I'm will also look at that a bit more consciously. I won't play the World Cup in Sharm El Sheikh either, because the hotel costs there are so extremely high. And I can't earn anything there in most cases. I have never minded adding money, for the Grand Prix tournaments for instance, but these are different times now and if the motivation is not there, it is a waste of my time, energy and money. Then I'd rather focus on what is more important to me. I have the mindset of a top athlete, I want to radiate that when I am at the table.''
Therese Klompenhouwer is the five-time world three-cushionchampion, she won the European championship nine times and the Dutch women's championship 15 times.