Six-time Crucible runner-up Jimmy White is determined to prove his doubters wrong by winning the Champion of Champions snooker tournament this week.
The 61-year-old, who secured his spot at the event by winning the World Seniors Championship, has been criticized by some for being included in the field. However, White is confident that he can still compete at the highest level and is determined to make a mockery of his detractors.
“I’m not there to make up the numbers, I’m there to win it,” White said. “I’m playing really well in practice and I can’t wait. I don’t care about the haters. They also say the Shoot Out champion and the Six Red champion shouldn’t be in it either, but you’ve got to win those tournaments on merit.”
“The Seniors champion deserves to be there. It’s really important for the Seniors that you get a spot. I’ve played in it a couple of times and should’ve beaten Ronnie when I was 3-0 up a few years ago so the game’s there.”
White will face world No.4 Mark Allen in his first match of the tournament and is confident of his chances of victory.
“I’m a traditionalist really and I really like the suit we wear because it’s smart. I didn’t like it years ago when they said you could wear a tie in the afternoon instead of a bow tie,” White said. “I think it should be bow tie and waistcoat.
I know Judd doesn’t like it but that’s because he doesn’t get on with the bow tie as it affects his cueing so he wears the flat bow ties. I’m really looking forward to the event. Emily Frazer and Matchroom have done a great job.”
Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is also in the field and will be looking to extend his record with a fifth title. O’Sullivan will be looking for revenge against Zhang Anda, who beat him in the semi-finals of the International Championship earlier this year.
Leave a Reply