Former world champion Ken Doherty has saluted snooker legend Jimmy White, whose future in the professional game is uncertain after he was relegated from the tour
Jimmy White’s incredible longevity and dedication has been hailed by fellow snooker legend Ken Doherty. The Whirlwind, who is almost 63, has lost his WST tour card after falling short in his latest attempt to qualify for the World Championship, which he hasn’t graced since 2006.
However, White still remains one of the biggest draws in the game, and despite his advancing years, he has no intention of hanging up his cue. He could still keep his place amongst snooker’s elite if he is granted an Invitational Tour Card by the WST and WPBSA.
Failing that, the six-time Crucible runner-up could gain a new tour card via Q Tour.
Either way, White’s status as an all-time great and the ‘people’s champion’ is secure. It’s a tag the Londoner richly deserves for all he has given to the sport over more than 40 years, according to 1997 world champion Doherty.
The Irishman, who is looking to qualify for the Crucible himself, said via Betway: “His dedication for the game has never waned and still does a lot of shows with John Virgo all over the country during these past few months and is always down at practice.
“He is playing as hard as he ever did and probably practices harder than he ever did in the 80s. He’s a great character and gave a lot to the game.
“No matter where you go, there’s so many great stories of when he was playing on tour or with Alex Higgins or the Rolling Stones and he’s just a wonderful character.
“He’s an inspiration to the game and everyone who plays the game know how much he has given to the game.”
Although brief, White’s presence in World Championship qualifying was typically dramatic. He came through his first round match after overturning a 7-3 deficit to beat Anton Kazakov 10-9 in a post-midnight finish.
However, Ashley Carty proved too strong in round two at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, winning 10-5 to set up a third round clash against world No.19 Pang Junxu. The 16 fourth round winners will join the 16 seeds at the Crucible.
The most dramatic match of qualifying so far saw veteran Anthony Hamilton fend off an incredible fightback against Steven Hallworth to win 10-8. Hamilton stormed into a 9-0 lead, only for Hallworth to win the next eight frames.
No player has ever won a first-to-10 match from 9-0 down and with Hamilton in disarray, Hallworth appeared to be on course for history when he led 63-0 in the 18th frame.
The match looked set for a final frame, only for Hamilton to produce a nerveless clearance of 69 to win on the black and avoid a decider. He faces Matthew Selt in round three.
