I was interested to hear Ryan Day tell Hazel Irvine that one of the reasons he had never done particularly well in a UK ranking event before the recent Royal London Watches Grand Prix was possibly to do with the British press.
Ryan explains here (from around 3.20) that some stories had ‘got my back up.’
Myself and my fellow journalists couldn’t remember any stories in which he had been maligned.
Actually, Ryan hasn’t had that much coverage over the years (perhaps this was what he meant).
It brings into question the relationship between players and the media.
Journalists have a low reputation generally. This is because of the actions of a few hacks and their newspapers.
People usually say they don’t believe what they read in the papers but you soon find that the very same people base almost all their views and opinions on what they’ve read or heard.
In snooker, there is a small, committed group of journalists who cover the circuit, including the qualifiers.
Our relationship with just about every player is very good. They know we would never willingly stitch them up. Apart from the fact that we’re not like that, it would spell professional suicide as they would never talk to us again.
I’ve been told many things – often deeply scurrilous – by players over the years that I would never report.
Some would argue this is not a good thing, that the old principle of ‘publish and be damned’ should apply.
Perhaps they are right, but I have no wish to become snooker’s version of a ‘3am girl’ (for those outside Britain, they write a showbiz and gossip column in the Mirror).
Often it is simply the case that what has been written is misunderstood.
I don’t think Ryan really believes the media is the reason why he’s yet to win a ranking tournament.
But perhaps it’s a salutary lesson to those of us who wield a pen (or in most cases a laptop) that even the most inconsequential of articles may be taken the wrong way.
6 comments:
I think Ryan is clutching at straws blaming the press. In the final on Sunday it clearly showed that Ryan doesn't yet have the bottle to win a major tournament. He had so many chances early on to get in front but missed easyish opportunities to get his nose in front. When he eventually did get back into the match the pressure was off and he started playing to the level he can.
Whether he will overcome this big problem remains to be seen but the more finals he reaches and loses will obviously have an effect on him.
Perhaps Ryan is referring to the stories in the papers about him getting married to his auntie, leading people to believe at first glance it was a blood relation he'd married when in actual fact it wasn't.
I can only think that he feels more pressure when playing in the UK. But I don't remember much coverage of Ryan, and I also don't remember any instance of him being cranky with the press. It would be interesting to hear what bothered him - and perhaps compare it to the kind of coverage that footballers, cricketers and rugby players have to cope with on a regular basis.
'3am girl'
midnight cowboy more like
I think that it was the stories about his wedding. But what did he expect. It was a slightly unusual situation so some papers were going to focus on it even though he wasn't, and isn't that well known, and some didn't rush to make it as clear as they could have that he had not married an aunt by blood.
Although he clearly mentions the British Press, I think you will find that he actually meant the commentary team, or in fact certain persons on the commentary team. He has mentioned in the past hearing comments made during matches and this has previously affected him, although he realises that he should not allow this to happen.
He has absolutely no problem with the coverage afforded him by the press at all, and I am sure that Dave will find this to be the case the next time he speaks to him.
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