James Warren White will be 50 in a few weeks time. There is only one player older than him on the professional circuit, a certain Steve Davis.
To have lasted as long as he has is testament to Jimmy's love of snooker. You have to love it as much as he does to keep on going despite a myriad of setbacks.
It would be a shame if historians of the future came to define White's career purely by the six world finals he failed to win because the fact is that despite these disappointments he has still won far more than most could ever wish for.
He would admit he didn't always dedicate himself to snooker as much as he needed to in the years when the game came easy but he is working hard now to prolong his career, and is, all things considered, doing pretty well.
He remains a member of the top 48 in the seedings. He will have to win two matches to qualify for the Crucible, the same number as he won to reach Beijing.
Today in the wildcard round of the China Open he plays Omar Alkojah of Syria, a country which is currently going through unimaginable horrors.
White is a big favourite and would play Judd Trump, the latest in the lineage of flair players of which the Whirlwind is part, in the first round.
White keeps himself busy on the exhibition circuit, where he remains a big draw. If you see him play in this environment you'd wonder why he isn't still in the top 16 but of course in matches there is intense pressure because it is here where it really counts.
White's old adversary, Stephen Hendry, is also in action today in one of two last 32 matches.
It's 20 years since Hendry came from 14-8 down to beat White 18-14 in the 1992 world final, a gripping contest which would be taught in schools were snooker on the curriculum.
That was 20 years ago, though. Hendry is now, like White, fighting to stay in contention.
Martin Gould is the sort of player he won't mind playing because he knows it will be an open, attacking game.
Neil Robertson beat Jamie Cope to win his first world ranking title, the 2006 Grand Prix.
It's no great shock Robertson has won several more since but is perhaps surprising that Cope is still waiting to join the game's winners' circle.
An hereditary condition which causes him to shake in his head and right arm has obviously affected not just his form but also his confidence. A win over Robertson, one of the players of the season, would provide a huge injection of self belief.
Today's other TV match pits Peter Ebdon against Lu Haotian, a 14 year-old who the Chinese obviously have high hopes for.
He doubtless plays many hours of snooker each week but Ebdon, with his all round knowledge, represents an entirely different form of snooker education.
Eurosport will be showing all four TV matches live on its two channels at 7.30am and 12.30pm BST.
9 comments:
Congratulations to Jimmy White for reaching the first round proper of the China Open! Looks like there's still life in Jimmy White...
Snooker is in Jimmy's DNA. He'll hopefully go on playing as long as Fred Davis. There has never been a sportsman more loved by the fans than Jimmy. Like Alex before him, we owe him a debt of gratitude that can never be repaid in full.
When you think of his past chaotic lifestyle, very little practice and his "go for everything" attitude to the game, he's overachieved really. Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis would have won very little if they had adopted the same lifestyle.
The Whirlwind in full flow is something to behold and I've yet to see anyone with more shots in his armoury.
The best compliment we can give him is that he is the geezers' geezer. We love him and always will.
When you think of his past chaotic lifestyle, very little practice and his "go for everything" attitude to the game, he's overachieved really. Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis would have won very little if they had adopted the same lifestyle.
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Although I've always liked watching Jimmy, and recognise his great achievements in the game, surely abusing your talent and not having as much success as you could have done, is the definition of UNDERachievement.
As for saying Hendry and Davis would have won very little if they had adopted the same lifestyle, well, no kidding.
The point is they chose to take the right attitude and between them won 33 titles at the World, UK and Masters.
Jimmy chose not to, and won two.
I for one would love to see the whirlwind strutting his stuff at the crucible one last time.Forget what he could/should have won,the place is that little less magical without him. Good luck jimbo
He might have not won as much but at least he had a life!
I'm getting rather tired of all this media hype surrounding Judd Trump. His achievements so far (i.e. two big titles before the age of 23) are impressive but hardly unique. With regards to Trump's real greatness, lets just wait and see how things go before saying he's the new superstar of snooker, a real teenage sensation might come along soon who wins many big titles before the age of 21. You never know..
congrats to ronnie for getting on a plane
Hi David. A good 1st days play. I was pleased to see both Hendry and White win, Good performance by both, in spells.
He might have not won as much but at least he had a life!
I'd take Hendry's sad little life over my crappy 9 to 5 live for the weekend life. Then again, I'd take Dave Hendon's life too sitting on my arse all day watching snooker. And getting paid for it!
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