Hi everyone, and welcome to my first blog entry. This is something I’ve been wanting to do for some time and, now that my website has been revamped and relaunched, it seemed the perfect opportunity. I think it’s important to keep you up to date with my progress so you can see how I’m getting on, not only at tournaments but away from the table too. I hope you enjoy reading it, and I look forward to any feedback you’ve got
Pool fans won’t need telling that the World Championship is under way in Blackpool this week. I love this tournament, it’s like no other out there, and I always seem to take my A game there. I thrive on it and I feel that I can go there and win my fourth world title.
My first match is on Thursday, but I don’t know yet who I’m playing. But whoever it is, they will know that I’m feeling really confident about my chances this year. I’ve been practising well, playing against some top partners. I always put the hard work in, but especially so for the World Championship. I’m a firm believer that you’ve got to work hard to be in a position to give it your very best chance.
The World Masters is also taking place and, although it is the second biggest tournament in terms of prize money, it can get brushed aside a bit. Mick Hill won both the World and Masters titles last year, which was a fantastic achievement and shows it can be done. I would love to win both in same year but, really, the Masters would be just be a bonus – I’m going there for one thing and one thing only, to win the World Championship.
The Master can be a bit of a hindrance because it’s played right in the middle of the Worlds. It piles on the matches and you can play too much and risk getting burned out. Two years ago, in 2009, I suffered from burn-out. I was defending my title and going for my third in a row. But what with playing matches in both singles tournaments, plus for England in the team event, it was too much. I lost to Adam Davis in the quarter-finals of the Worlds and lost in the semis of the Masters. Playing four or five matches a day, I was sick of the sight of the table.
I don’t want a repeat of that this year, I want to focus all my energy on the World Championship and concentrate on the singles, and make sure I feel fresh. That’s why I’m not playing for England in the team event. I know some people cannot understand my decision to do that but, for me, it’s the best thing for me to do pool-wise.
I’ve been playing really well lately and I’m happy with my game. I won the first two Pro Tour events and finished runner-up in the third, so I’m really pleased with that. I practise at my club, Players, in Newcastle-under-Lyme, and I try to play against someone with a similar ability because it’s a better gauge of where I’m at. So the likes of Adam Davis, Jimmy Croxton and Neil Raybone have all been popping in to help.
Practice usually starts at 12noon, playing sets of eight, until about 5pm. I also have a few sessions on my own when I try out different routines, like shots down the rails and long balls, just to get myself tuned in. We also play with the spotted cue ball at the Worlds, which is heavier, so it’s crucial to be as familiar with it as possible.
I also play bit of snooker as I find it helps sharpen my game. Stoke pro Jamie Cope has just started playing at my club so I have few sessions with him, as well as with Liam Highfield, who is definitely one to watch in the future.
Away from the table I go to the gym a lot. Keeping fit helps my game massively and it makes huge difference. There are lots of matches at the World Championship, you can play up to five in one day, so you need plenty of stamina. You need to be mentally strong as well, so it helps with that too.
During the run-up to the Worlds I go to the gym four or five times a week, doing mostly cardio sessions. I usually do weights, but not in run-up to the Worlds because I want to avoid any danger of pulling a muscle in my arm, and because it can feel a bit dead afterwards, which is no good when you pick up a cue. So I’m just doing plenty of running, 5k on treadmill, plus 5k on bike. A typical day can be practice at the club, go to the gym and do a 5k bike, then back to club for more practice. It’s hard graft, but the rewards can be more than worth it.
Needless to say, it’s all been about the pool lately. I did have a holiday in Mexico for Mark Selby’s wedding to Vikki, although I did have to cut it short to be back for the Pro Tour event in Daventry. After lying on a beach and not picking up a cue for 10 days, to reach the final there was really pleasing (I only just missed out, losing 8-7 to Ben Davies). I’ve had a few weekends off, but it’s really all about the practice and putting the hours in ahead of my first match on Thursday. I’ll be giving it my best shot and I feel in great shape.
Check back soon for my next blog entry. But until then, you can always follow my progress during the World Championship on Facebook and Twitter, links to which can be found on my website. Thanks for reading!