Steve Davis.... a snooker phenomenon
This man, at the age of 52, never ceases to amaze me....and his extraordinary achievement in later years are further mystifying when you place it alongside the struggles of Matthew Stevens and Judd Trump in recent days.
At 32, Stevens has already looked long over the hill. Trump was humiliated today by Tom Ford, and many are beginning to wonder whether he'll ever get going at all.
Davis' achievements have been largely overlooked in recent times in favour of Hendry, Higgins & O'Sullivan. This six-time World Champion, all-dominant in the 80's has become a slightly forgotten man in comparisson to his once iron grip on the game. Steve who?
But in recent days, I can only marvel at what he has done. While the like likes of Trump & Stevens struggle on, this guy keeps on going, akin to a Duracell Bunny in snooker terms.
A top 16 player at 50? Whatever people say about weak-era's, this is extraordinary. At 52, he's still in in the World's top 25.
He first qualified for the World Championship in 1979, and since then has only failed to qualify twice. This will be his 30th Crucible appearance, and it's spread across an astonishing 5 decades.
In 2005, he was just four frames away from winning the second biggest tournament on the calender, and reached as high as THIRD in the provisional rankings. In 2004, he really should have won the Welsh Open, losing 9-8 from 8-5 up against O'Sullivan.
Whatever people think, Davis is a legend. More professional titles than anyone else, but I feel his later career achievements speak for themselves. I myself like his dry wit, although not everything he says should be taken as gospel. Even he knows that.
But Davis is quite simply a phenomenon. Long live the Duracell Bunny.
At 32, Stevens has already looked long over the hill. Trump was humiliated today by Tom Ford, and many are beginning to wonder whether he'll ever get going at all.
Davis' achievements have been largely overlooked in recent times in favour of Hendry, Higgins & O'Sullivan. This six-time World Champion, all-dominant in the 80's has become a slightly forgotten man in comparisson to his once iron grip on the game. Steve who?
But in recent days, I can only marvel at what he has done. While the like likes of Trump & Stevens struggle on, this guy keeps on going, akin to a Duracell Bunny in snooker terms.
A top 16 player at 50? Whatever people say about weak-era's, this is extraordinary. At 52, he's still in in the World's top 25.
He first qualified for the World Championship in 1979, and since then has only failed to qualify twice. This will be his 30th Crucible appearance, and it's spread across an astonishing 5 decades.
In 2005, he was just four frames away from winning the second biggest tournament on the calender, and reached as high as THIRD in the provisional rankings. In 2004, he really should have won the Welsh Open, losing 9-8 from 8-5 up against O'Sullivan.
Whatever people think, Davis is a legend. More professional titles than anyone else, but I feel his later career achievements speak for themselves. I myself like his dry wit, although not everything he says should be taken as gospel. Even he knows that.
But Davis is quite simply a phenomenon. Long live the Duracell Bunny.
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Tubberlad - Posts: 5009
- Joined: 02 October 2009
- Location: Ireland
- Snooker Idol: Ronnie OSullivan
- Highest Break: 49