World Grand Prix Semi-Final run a “a bonus” says rejuvenated Van Duijvenbode
Dirk van Duijvenbode admits reaching the Semi-Finals of the World Grand Prix is “a bonus” and insists he is not thinking about winning the title.
Van Duijvenbode has broken new ground on his Boylesports World Grand Prix debut, storming into his first major Semi-Final just nine months after regaining a Tour Card at Qualifying School.
An aubergine farmer by day, Van Duijvenbode kick-started his run with a scrappy 2-1 win over Mensur Suljovic but has not looked back since, defeating both Dimitri van den Bergh and Gary Anderson 3-1 with superb displays.
The 28-year-old has already broken into the world’s top 64 as a result of his exploits this week but is refusing to think about being crowned champion on Monday.
“It feels awesome for me and I can’t believe it that I’m in the Semi-Finals,” said Van Duijvenbode.
“To say I have nothing to lose is a bad excuse.
“I’m here to win every game, I’m not here to win the tournament but as long as I’m in I want to win against my opponent that day.
“I’m not thinking about the title but the next game I’ll be thinking, I want to beat you.”
The Dutch ace dropped off the tour after finishing outside of the world’s top 64 last season, but regained his Tour Card at the first time of asking at European Q School.
He reveals his rapid resurgence can be attributed to undergoing osteopathy, which treats and prevents health problems by moving, stretching and massaging a person’s muscles and joints.
As well as practicing with five-time World Champion Raymond van Barneveld in the build-up to the event, Van Duijvenbode has also sought the help of a sports psychologist and is seemingly reaping the benefits.
He explained: “I practice more and I’ve been doing some osteopathy, it costs a lot of money and I thought to myself, I’ll do this for three months and if it works I’ll keep on doing it.
“It’s paid off and I’ve kept on doing it.
“Everyone was saying ‘how do you feel on qualifying for the Grand Prix? You’re probably in the European Championship and Players Championship Finals’, I don’t care, it’s all a bonus.
“I told myself at the start of the year when I started investing in the osteopathy, I took a sports psychologist as well which cost a lot of money, you’re 27 now, by the time you’re 30 if you didn’t play in the World Championship I would quit.
“So for me, the main goal was the Worlds, this is all extra.
“But in one of these I’m in the Semi-Finals so I don’t take it as an extra, the main goal for this year was just to qualify for the Worlds and I think I’ve done a lot better than only qualifying for the Worlds.”
