Steve Davis has expressed his admiration for Jimmy White, his old rival, who is still competing at a high level in snooker at the age of 62. Davis, a six-time UK Championship winner and six-time world champion, retired from the sport in 2016 but is thrilled to see White still going strong.
White, known for his exciting and unpredictable style of play, has been a prominent figure in snooker for nearly 40 years. Despite his advancing years, he still retains his skill on the table, having kept his Tour Card last year and recently advancing to the second round of the Northern Ireland Open.
Davis, who had many epic battles with White in the 1980s, including the 1987 UK Championship final, which he won 16-14, praised White’s dedication to the sport. “It’s amazing,” Davis exclaimed. “He’s 62 now, and it’s incredible that he’s still competing and beating top players on a weekly basis.
Davis also acknowledged the challenges White faces as an older player, saying: “He knows he can have a great match and then the next time it might not work, and that’s the frustration. But when he puts it together, it’s fantastic to watch.” Davis joked that White’s motivation for continuing to play might be to avoid relying on a heating allowance when he turns 65.
When asked about his own motivation to play, Davis revealed that he has no desire to return to competitive snooker. “When I retired, I decided I didn’t want to practice again with a view to getting ready for a tournament,” he explained. “I haven’t got the motivation to try and get the ball in the hole these days, I’ve got other fish to fry.