JIMMY WHITE claims his game “has never been in better shape” as he aims to end a 20-year absence from the World Snooker Championship.
The Whirlwind embarks on the first of four rounds of qualifying today (Monday) at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield.
Jimmy White with his son some 21 years agoCredit: Getty
White still puts in plenty of practice and feels better than everCredit: Times Media Ltd
From 10am, the 63-year-old baize legend takes on 21-year-old Chinese Gao Yang – 42 years the junior man – over the best of 19 frames.
If he progresses from round one, he would face Mark Davis and Tom Ford and then maybe Iranian potter Hossein Vafaei in contests in which the winner is the first to 10 frames.
It is 20 years since White last appeared in the main draw of the Worlds, a tournament in which he lost in a record six finals.
Though he has tried every year since 2006 to get back there, he has not lost the belief that this could be his moment for one last hurrah on the sport’s biggest stage.
White says practice sessions at his new club – the Sports Lounge, which opened in 2024 – have been vital to his confidence, and he will take on pal Alfie Burden in practice matches.
The South Londoner, winner of 10 ranking tournaments, told SunSport: “Listen, since I’ve opened the club, I’ve been practising more than ever.
“Having a club, I’ve had loads of people come and play loads of matches. So I feel a lot more sharper going into these qualifiers.
“I’m there every day. Every day. What I was doing previously, when I’d go to my club in Epsom, I’d have a couple of hours practice with my son.
“Then maybe go back and do another hour and a half. But with Jimmy’s Lounge I’m there all day and without even knowing I’m playing like six or seven hours.
“It’s really brought me on, you know, leaps and bounds.
“I hope I can keep this form up. I’ve got to win four matches, which is like winning a tournament because you have to win four best-of-19 frames.
“But my game has never been in better shape. I’m really excited.
“There are no easy draws anymore. They’re all good. The Chinese guys are all so good. They’re fabulous.
“I have to be on my game. But as I said, my game is in great nick.”
White – who lost in five finals in a row between 1990-1994 – was beaten 10-5 by qualifier David Gray in the first round in April 2006 in his last professional appearance at the Crucible
His debut was in 1981 when he was defeated 10-8 by eventual champion Steve Davis.
But he regrets not going there in 1980, having focused instead on winning the World Amateur Championship in Tasmania, Australia, which proved to be a “big mistake” in terms of his long-term development.
The Whirlwind was ranked number two in the world in the late 1980sCredit: Getty
The famous South Yorkshire theatre has been good to him in recent years and three of his record four Seniors crowns came there, the last one being in 2023.
White said: “It would mean everything to me to get there again.
“I can put my hand on my heart. I never played for money.
“Okay, when I was a kid I did, because I was that good and I was practising down the club, though I wasn’t hustling.
“Look, I don’t need to play snooker now. I put myself through what you have to go through because I love it.
“I still have quite a big following, you know. Just to have one more go at the Crucible would be fantastic.
“I’m going with my son this time, only because he’s been getting the balls out. I’ve got no distractions. I’ll have no phone. Nothing.
“I’m going up there the best prepared I’ve been for probably 25 years. I know that sounds crazy, but it really is the truth.
“I’m really looking forward to it and if I can produce 80% of what I’m doing on the practice table, then I’ve got every chance.”
To become a member or book a table at Jimmy’s Sports Lounge visit jimmywhitessportslounge.com
Eze Chidiebere Paul
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