Welsh snooker ace Dominic Dale admits that a failure to prepare for tournaments properly since moving to Vienna has affected his career.
Dale moved to the Austrian capital in 2007, shortly after winning the second ranking title of his career at the Roewe Shanghai Masters. Having climbed to 16th place in the provisional rankings with that victory, he has since slipped to 29th and is hoping for a run in next week's Welsh Open to secure his top 32 place.
"There are no other professionals to practise with in Vienna, which means that preparing myself mentally for matches is more difficult," said the 37-year-old from Neath. "I'm playing well on my own in practice, but matches are a completely different thing.
"I recently played Gerard Greene in the China Open qualifiers, and I felt confident going into the match, but then lost 5-1. I had flown to the UK the day before the match and I flew back to Austria the day afterwards. I realise that what I need to do is fly back a few days earlier and get a few days practice with Matthew Stevens or Ryan Day, to sharpen me up for the match situtation.
"I wouldn't say that moving to Vienna has damaged my snooker career. I love it so much here. But it's true that my performances have not been as good, and I blame myself because I haven't adjusted well enough.
"Since losing in the China qualifiers I have been rebuilding my game and working on the mental side. I will be back at least a few days before the Welsh Open to make sure I am ready."
It's a crucial time of the season for Dale as his home tournament is followed by the World Championship qualifiers.
"If I lost my opening match in both of those then I could drop out of the top 32, so I need to do well," added the 1997 Grand Prix champion. "I love the Welsh Open and I always want to perform well there for the home fans. I'll be commentating for BBC Wales during the tournament which I really enjoy and it helps take a bit of the pressure off the matches."
Dale plays his opening match at the Newport Centre against Liang Wenbo at 7pm on Monday, February 16. Also in action in the same session will be the two-times World Champion from Cwm, Mark Williams.
The Welsh Open is set to feature star players such as Ronnie O'Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, John Higgins, Shaun Murphy, defending champion Mark Selby and home favourites Ryan Day, Matthew Stevens, Mark Williams and Dominic Dale.
Tickets are selling rapidly for the world ranking event but there are still tickets available. They start at just £6 and can be purchased by calling 01633 656 757 or by visiting www.worldsnooker.com/welshopen
1 comment:
I was very surprised when Dominic moved to Vienna. Our level in snooker is worse than our success in football, and we are very bad in football! Therefore he can not find qualitative opponents to practise. It is a pitty, but I see only disatvantages for him in Austria. Always the ardurous flights and otherwise he should work more for BBC-it could be the chance to start there a second career after snooker. I hope he will find a good solution for the future, because I want to see him more often at the next tournaments.
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