Snooker Legend Steve Davis: "I’m Enjoying the Game Again"
Snooker fans have witnessed a resurgence in the passion of Steve Davis, the six-time world champion, as he rediscovers his love for the game. In an exclusive interview with Metro, Davis revealed that his time as a pundit and commentator on the BBC coverage of Triple Crown events has rekindled his enthusiasm for snooker.
The 67-year-old, who retired from professional play in 2016, admitted that his passion for the game had waned during his early years as a media personality. "Funnily enough, there was a time a little while ago where I thought, ‘Oh here we go, World Championship, it doesn’t matter to me who wins. I’ll go up there, do my job and keep my head down’," Davis told Metro ahead of this year’s tournament.
However, Davis has turned a corner, and his excitement for the game has been reignited. "As time’s gone on I’m getting more into trying to see who the best players are, who’s going to win it and I’m enjoying it more, remembering what it’s like being a player," he said. "I’ve turned a corner, it’s very strange. So I’m looking forward to seeing how it all unfolds. The older players trying to hold back the years, the younger players coming through. It’s a really great time to be a snooker fan now. So many great players."
Davis has been a fixture at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield for nearly 50 years, making his debut as a player in 1979. His standout memory from that first visit was the treatment he received in the national press for eating a ham sandwich during a match against Dennis Taylor. "The one thing I remember about my first match at the Crucible. I played Dennis. The newspaper the next day, there was a report that said I brought the game into disrepute by eating a ham sandwich at the table," he recalled.
Davis revealed that he had simply eaten the sandwich during a break in the match, without intending to cause any controversy. "What happened was that the match was going on a bit, it was a morning session and it was getting towards the afternoon and I hadn’t eaten since about 7am. The promoter came and asked if I wanted anything, I said ‘I am a bit hungry, any chance of a ham sandwich?’ He brought me a ham sandwich to the table, I was eating it like I was down the snooker club having a practice."
The former world champion has been involved in snooker chiefly as a media personality since his retirement, with no interest in coaching or mentoring. However, he is happy to offer advice to players who seek it. Zak Surety, who made his Crucible debut this year, is one player who has benefited from Davis’ guidance. "I had no desire to be a coach as such on the tour, because standing over a player, watching him play and being in a dressing room is not something I’d get that much enjoyment out of," Davis explained.
Davis also expressed his enjoyment of his current role as a pundit and commentator for the BBC. "I’m enjoying being part of the BBC team, so as long as they’re enjoying it then I’m delighted," he said. "It’s a great bunch of people, a decent bunch of experts and we all enjoy it. I’m enjoying more watching now than I was 10 years ago. All of a sudden there’s great storylines and so many great matches. Watching players now, you’re forever going ‘wow, what a shot!’ It’s a bombardment. The likes of which snooker fans had never really seen before."
As the World Snooker Championship continues, Davis will be on hand to provide expert analysis and commentary for the BBC. With his renewed passion for the game, fans can expect to see more of the legendary player’s enthusiasm and insights in the years to come. For more updates, results, and schedules from the World Snooker Championship, visit Metro for the latest news and developments.
In related news, fans can catch up on the latest episodes of the Talking Snooker podcast, which provides in-depth analysis and discussion of the tournament. Additionally, Metro has reported on Ronnie O’Sullivan’s recent cue decision during the Crucible semi-final, as well as Mark Williams’ comments on the players who could match Judd Trump’s century haul.
