888.com world snooker championship 2007
Ding is Ready!
Living on the other side of the world, away from family and friends wouldn’t be easy for anyone, but Ding Junhui seems to have adjusted well. With three world ranking titles already secured, is he ready to make the next move and lift the 888.com world championship.
Cuefactor meets the 19-year-old sensation who, with a billion supporters back home in China, tells us he is ready for the re-match with the “Rocket”.
You’ve had some good matches with Ronnie, you must be looking forward to playing him again?
I’m looking forward to the game against Ronnie and I know he is a very tough player. He knows I am too so we will bring a very good performance to all the audience.
Would he have liked an easier draw for his first round match?
Ronnie is already set for the first match. I will bring my best form, and if I do that I will be very tough to beat too.
Ronnie has been quoted saying the draw is possibly a fix, what do you think about that?
It happens before that I play a player a little bit more than others, but I get used to it. Every player who qualifies for the World Championships is very tough to beat so I will concentrate on the game. If I bring my best form I don’t think anyone can beat me.
Everyone says it is very small, does that concern you that the crowd is so close to the players?
No, I can chat with the fans.
Are you worried that the same might happen at the Masters if there are any staunch Ronnie fans there?
I can learn a lot from Ronnie because no matter how far ahead or behind his opponent he is, he plays his best form. He is very relaxed, I think that is something I can learn. He is very experienced. I certainly did learn a lot from that game. I am a lot stronger now.
What really upset you that night?
I was not satisfied with my performance. I played bad and Ronnie played brilliant. It bothers me when I play like that.
Since the Masters your form has been quite poor. Does that worry you? Was your confidence shaken by that game?
It’s been a concern, I’m still looking for my best form. I’m trying to look for my feeling, my touch in the game. That’s why I practice very hard. I hope I can find my best form for the Crucible.
When did you first watch the Crucible?
I first came to know the World Championships when I was 12 or 13 back in China. Four years ago after I came to the UK, I started trying to qualify for the World Championships but I achieve that for the first 3 years because the opponents played very well. Now finally it is a dream come true.
How big a sports personality is Ding in China?
They say I’m the 3rd most famous athlete in China behind Yao Ming (NBA basketball player) and Liu Xiang (110m hurdles world record holder) but I don’t really care about it. Mostly I concentrate on my game, I hope I can play every game very well. I don’t really care about the fame.
Does having so many people supporting you back home inspire you or put you under pressure?
Certainly the support is my biggest advantage against UK players because I have one billion people behind me and it feels very good.
Are you going into this year’s tournament believing you can win?
Actually, my mind is very peaceful when I play every tournament. I don’t think about winning a championship or tournament, I just concentrate on each game.
How have you prepared for the World Championship?
Since I came here I have practiced by myself for 5 or 6 hours a day.
How do you find living in Sheffield?
It’s a great place to practice because it has the world’s best facilities for snooker. It’s also a good place to live because it has cinemas, concerts and places to relax. I came here with my friends this time so it is very good to have dinner and play games with them.
Do you think the winner of your match will go on to win the World Championships?
If it was me then I’m not sure. If it was Ronnie then I think certainly he will do well.
If you beat Ronnie do you have a preference in the next round (Neil Robertson or Ryan Day?
I don’t really think about it. They are both strong so I don’t really have a preference.
What’s the snooker scene like in China? Is it accessible to young people or women?
In China there certainly are a lot of snooker and pool clubs now. We say it’s the second wave now. The 1990s was the first wave where the tables were on the street, and they were very poor equipped. Now they are very high standard. My father opened a club in Shanghai with 20 or 30 tables. He has a room where I can practice. According to the Chinese Snooker Association statistics there are 50 million people involved in snooker in China.
Why is snooker so popular in China?
I think it’s a very easy to sport to participate no matter how old you are or your gender. Not like running or basketball, where if you’re old you cannot play. It’s not easy to get injured. It’s very good to relax.
Can you see a time when China rivals the UK on the world snooker scene?
There are a lot of young talents in China. I hope if they can have the chance to come here and learn from experienced players certainly I think the level of Chinese snooker will upgrade. I think it’s in the very near future, in 15 or 20 years just like table tennis.
Do you think the World Championships in the future should be held in China or somewhere else?
I hope the World Championships can move around the world because it’s a World Championships so there should be more countries and players involved. China would be a good place.
