Jimmy White will be potting balls until he’s 65. The Whirlwind, who turned 63 last week, has accepted a new two-year invitational wildcard on the World Snooker Tour. Crowd hero White’s career has come full circle. He famously lost six World Championship finals at his peak.
But back then he admits he was not dedicated enough and spent long periods of time on drink and drug binges. Now he practices more than ever, but White insists it could be the final countdown of a career which has spanned almost five decades if results do not improve. White, who has bought his own club in Woking, will almost be eligible for an OAP free bus pass when his new tour card runs out.
And he said: “Physically I feel fine. Snooker’s not like football or boxing or any of those sorts of sports. As long as your eyes are OK, you can carry on. I still make maximums. I still play to a good standard.
“I think snooker’s a game that if you’ve got the desire to practice – which when I was at my best I didn’t practice….I enjoy it. I didn’t think I’d be playing at this age but it’s only since lockdown that I really put in some practice and thought: ‘wait a minute, I can still play.’
“Up to lockdown, I was just playing bits and pieces but during lockdown, I found that my game is still there. This last year my schedule was too busy. I was all over the place doing exhibitions. China and what have you and my preparation wasn’t the greatest.
“So I have to manage it a bit differently for the next two years but if I don’t find some form, this will be my last two years. You’ve got to show the form on the table.
“Can I play to 70? There’s a limit. I’m going to see out these two years and if I find some consistency, then I’ll make a decision but if I don’t, I’m going to go and play bad golf.”
Critics claim wildcards for legends from yesteryear take a place away from up-and-coming talent. But crowds still love seeing White play with his matches at the World Championship qualifiers the best attended.
“Me and Ken [Doherty] still play in all the tournaments,” added White. “If we were just entering the odd tournament here and there and if I didn’t think I could win, I wouldn’t play. The minute I think I can’t win, I won’t play. But I don’t take any regard of what those people say.”
White’s new tour card runs until 2027, the year the current Crucible deal expires, and he would love one last hurrah here, which remains his favourite venue despite it being the scene of his greatest heartaches.
The golden oldie, who last played at the venue in 2006, added: “I don’t think it will leave here. I hope not anyway because when it gets down to a one table situation here, there’s nothing like it.
“I know the young lads who are coming through, they don’t care where they play really because they’ve not experienced it yet. But anyone who’s played in the semi-finals here, one table, there’s nothing like the Crucible.
“I’d like it to stay here for sure. OK it’s a bit tight with the two tables but I think that makes it. It’s part of the buzz.”
