Snooker
Graeme Dott Eyes Pool Career After Snooker as Xi'an Grand Prix Beckons
Former world champion Graeme Dott is considering a pool career when he finishes playing snooker. The 2006 Crucible champion has struggled for results in the past few seasons and, at 47, admits his best days are likely behind him.
Graeme Dott//Getty Images
A New Chapter for Dott?
But the ambitious Scot has been enjoying playing in lucrative eight-ball pool tournaments in China, and when it’s finally time to put away his cue after a distinguished career, Larkhall potter Dott is ready to embrace a new challenge.
“I used to play years ago, but I’ve found these tournaments really enjoyable,” Dott told SportsBoom.com.
But, to be totally honest, I was just borrowing a cue every time I’ve been to China. You’re not really giving yourself a chance to win titles, although I won a few matches and got the last 32 of the most recent tournaments I played in.
Graeme Dott
“I’ve managed to get myself a cue now, so hopefully I get better.”
“I’m not taking it deadly serious at the moment, it’s a bit of fun, but if I got better at it then it’s something I could definitely do more in the future if I got better at it.”
“It’s something I will probably look into but, for now, I’m getting decent appearance-free money, and I want to do well, the extra prize money is of course a bonus.”
“But I want to perform and, the more I play in these events, the more I think I’ll start challenging more.”
“I wouldn’t play if I can’t any good at it, for sure, I’m just too competitive for that.”
Strong Start to the Snooker Season
Dott, a two-time ranking event winner and three-time World Championship finalist, has started the new snooker season in fine fashion.
He didn’t lose a match in the Championship League, the first tournament to kick off the new season, and has already qualified for the Wuhan Open, British Open and next week’s new Xi’an Grand Prix (19-25 August) in China, which offers £177,000 to the eventual winner.
The die-hard Rangers’ fan head to Xi’an hungry to impress and hopes another big title is still in the locker.
“Finding the hunger at this stage in my career is the hardest part,” admitted Dott.
“But I know that if I can produce my best form, I fancy my chances of winning another title.”
“You need a bit of luck, of course, but you know it’s always going to get harder.”
“I know this year is going to be tough and next year will be harder again.”
These young lads are getting better and as you get older your standard starts to drop.
Graeme Dott
“But I’ve had a decent start to the season and feeling confident about my game.”
Xi’an Grand Prix Awaits
Dott kicks off this title-quest at the Qujang E-Sports Centre against Chinese wildcard amateur Ma Shaojun player on Monday.
Top potters Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, John Higgins, Mark Allen, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson and world champion Kyren Wilson will all be in action at the new event, which has attracted a strong field in the Far East.
Seven-time world champion O’Sullivan faces Hong Kong’s Wang Kuchen in the first round, while potting sensation Trump locks horns with China’s Ma Hailong.
Neil has been a journalist for longer than he'd care to remember, having written for national newspapers and respected publications for over 25 years. For the last three years he has worked freelance for BBC Sport, working on the production desk as a sub-editor and also as a writer, covering a whole range of sports.