02/27/2017
ANTWERP - Ludo Dielis came up with the formula, and has never had to change it. The player of the year election, edition 2017, is again an evening with invited guests who can witness Dani Sánchez, the world champion, and Dick Jaspers, the overall World Cup winner, play a match in short and exciting sets. The third remaining nominee for player of the year 2016 is Frédéric Caudron. The Antwerp Hilton will see a combination of sport and entertainment, with food, drink and glamour.
Dick Jaspers: ,,I want to perform well on such a night and I see the evening as a wonderful experience to be part of.’’
Dani Sánchez, who returned this week from Japan and celebrates his 43rd anniversary on Friday: ,,The gala is a serious challenge, but on such a special night like this, it's hard to stay focused.’’
What is more important to you, winning the Supercup or be elected as the Player of the Year?
Dani Sánchez: ,,I would like to be Player of the Year.’’ Dick Jaspers: ,,I'd rather like to win the Supercup, because you have it in your own hand. Player of the Year will be determined by others.’’
How do you like the system with short sets? Dick Jaspers: ,,There is tension, it's exciting, so I do like it. You can quickly win the match, but on the other hand be out after a few short sets. I know how to prepare for that.’’ Dani Sánchez: ,,I don’t’ like the short sets, but that’s what the organization and the audience want, so we will try to make the show.’’
Who deserves the title Player of the Year in 2016? Dani Sánchez: ,,I see no clear winner last year.’’ Dick Jaspers: ,,The top players all won tournaments, no one was the very best.’’
The Supercup gala is organized by Ludo Dielis and his team for the 13th time. The event has been quite dominated by the European top players; the only non-European winner was Sung Won Choi in 2014. The winner of the Super Cup and the Player of the Year are rewarded with 5.000 Euros.
The Player of the Year is chosen by the federations, the confederations and the fifty best players on the world ranking. The honor list of the Player of the Year: 2001: Torbjörn Blomdahl 2002: Marco Zanetti 2003: Semih Saygıner 2004: Dani Sánchez 2005: Dani Sánchez 2006: Dani Sánchez 2007: Torbjörn Blomdahl 2008: Dick Jaspers 2009: Frédéric Caudron 2010: Dick Jaspers 2014: Sung-Won Choi 2015: Torbjörn Blomdahl.
The palmares of the two protagonists:
Dick Jaspers: Three-time world champion, 4 times World Cup winner, Two-time European champion, 18 times Dutch champion, 1 time Supercup winner, 2 times Player of the Year.
Dani Sánchez: Four-time world champion, 4 times World Cup winner, 3 times European champion, 18 times Spanish champion, Two-time winner Supercup, Three times Player of the Year.
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