The guy’s got presence – that’s the first thing you notice about Peter Ebdon. He is one of the last remaining ‘old-style’ professionals, oozing class and able to talk with an informed knowledge on a host of subjects.
He has been ranked in the top-16 for fifteen years and won the game’s two biggest titles. While he might not be considered the greatest of all times, he would certainly get a mention in snooker’s ‘Hall of Fame’ if it had one.
Global-snooker caught up with the 2002 world champion as he prepared for his latest assault on a second world title and got his thoughts…
On his ‘amateur’ days…
You turned professional in 1991, as one of the most successful amateur players of all time.
“I had a fantastic couple of years before I turned professional. In those days there were usually one or two ‘big’ pro-am events every week. We would travel from one end of the UK to the other chasing the money and titles”.
Dictionary.com defines amateur as ‘a person who engages in a study, sport, or other activity for pleasure rather than for financial benefit or professional reasons’, although that is not really the case in snooker is it?
“No, I remember beating Darren Clarke (not the golfer!) in the final of the Rothman’s National Championship in 1990, and winning £7,500. I guess we were all more semi-professional than amateur”.
I remember seeing you on stage at one of the snooker festivals, being slightly worse for wear and doing impressions of Prince Charles and Neil Kinnock in a talent contest. You seemed to change shortly after that and focus on your game.
“Oh dear, I had forgotten about that. When you’re younger, and I see this nowadays with some of the up and coming players, you think everything will just happen. Well, in my experience it doesn’t.
I worked really hard for any success I had and if you look at the likes of Davis, Hendry, O’Sullivan, Williams and Higgins over the past 20 years, they have all worked at their game.
You certainly had momentum when you turned professional and made an impact straight away, and not only because of the pony-tail!
“Yes, I reached the Crucible in my first season as a professional and played Steve Davis, which at the time was a dream come true for me, and to play as well as I did and win 10-4 was perfect”.
On tough opponents
Over the years, you have played just about everyone. Who are the toughest opponents you have faced?
“That’s a difficult one because there are and have been so many really good players. I am also still competing against many of them so wouldn’t want to give a psychological advantage by mentioning or not mentioning any of them, but there are a couple of matches that stand out in my memory.
In 2002, when I played Stephen (Hendry) in the final, it was a bit of a strange situation. He was the bookies favourite and I think he thought all he had to do was turn up and he would win. I, on the other hand was convinced I would win. That creates the ideal conditions for competition.
It was one of the all time classic finals, and one I am certainly proud to have been involved in. It was pure match play and it was pretty late, when I finally got my hands on the trophy. It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Stephen is probably the toughest opponent there has been for any player.
Two others that rank up there for me are Ronnie O’Sullivan and Matthew Stevens. I remember playing Matt in the semi-final in Sheffield in the same year. I think he made something like 17 breaks of 50 or more and lost 17-16, which just shouldn’t happen.
My overriding memory of that match is of Matthew running away with it and me just trying to stay in touch with him. Then, I went out between frames at 14-16 and had flash of inspiration. I was heading back to the arena and a ‘movie’ played in my mind, where I saw clearly me shaking his hand and saying ‘bad luck’. Bizarre, but true!
Ronnie is just an awesome talent. One of the best he has played, was actually a match I ended up winning. He went 8-2 in front and was just superb. I consider my comeback to win 13-11, one of the greatest and most determined performances of my career.
It might be a bit premature to describe Ali Carter as one of my toughest opponents of all time opponents but perhaps I should be because I've never beaten him apparently (Mental note, to put that right, next time!). I played him at this years Masters at Wembley and had one shot at a red in six frames.
I feel certain that Ali has been playing some of the very best snooker in the world, for quite some time now and he is possibly, the most improved player on the circuit. I think that he'll take some stopping at Sheffield this year!
I've thoroughly enjoyed playing all of the great players over the years and it is always something special and something to savour, when coming up against the very best of them".
On future stars
As one of the senior players on tour nowadays, you can probably see who is coming through to threaten for top ranking spots in the years to come, do you have any tips?
“I have only ever really talked about two young players. I first saw Ding Junhui when he was 15 and he was exceptional. And the other is Mark Allen. He has climbed the rankings and got into the top-16 with consistent performances but it wouldn’t surprise me if he entered the winner’s circle fairly soon”.
When you’re in the UK, you are based near Northampton. Rory McLeod and Jamie O’Neill are local boys, how do you rate their chances?
“Rory is a fantastic player. I have said for a long time that he just needs to prove to himself, just how good he is. He played Ronnie just before Christmas and made three tons in a row, so maybe that will give him the lift he needs.
Jamie is a real talent too, he has one of the best ‘touch’ games I have ever seen, but it s really tough in any professional sport to make the grade”.
On the rankings
You have been in the top 16 for 15 years, and with a bit of a run in the last couple of tournaments this season, that should be extended. The current system is often criticised for protecting the top players, what’s your thoughts on that?
“I don’t think it protects the players. If you lose your opening match then you only receive half points and can quickly drop down the rankings.
In golf and tennis, where they are playing events week-in-week-out it is easier to use a one-year or ‘rolling ranking system. But this year there are eight ranking events, so you need two years to get an accurate reflection of form.
On the board
You mentioned that there are only eight tournaments, as a player and a member of the WPBSA Board, would you like to see that number increased?
“Of course I would. I joined the board in order to put something back into the game. I love snooker and care about its future. I don’t need to do it. Being a member of the board is thankless task.
I hear criticism from other players and factions of the media all the time. I would like to see everyone pulling in the same direction. It would be great to think we can all be part of something really positive.
The economic climate is not easy right now for anyone, let alone running a sport that to some extent relies on sponsorship. The sponsorship market is especially tough with major brands withdrawing from many sports.
There are some good people on the board right now. I am in awe of Jim McMahon, who works tirelessly for the members. Mike Dunn is a great guy and under Sir Rodney’s guidance I am sure we will come out of the current situation on the right side.
On Dubai
You decided to move your family from the UK out to live in Dubai a few years ago. How did that happen.
“We had holidayed in Dubai numerous times and we all loved it so much, it seemed a natural thing to do.
As a parent you worry about the welfare of your kids and want to do everything possible to bring them up in a safe and happy environment. In Dubai, there are no drugs and crime is almost non-existent.
The quality of life out there is fantastic. The schools are out of this world, and a good education for our kids was always a major priority for us.
Our eldest, Clarissa, is doing great and she is looking at a career in law”.
Piers Morgan recently featured Dubai on his UK programme, ‘Piers Morgan on…’ and labelled it as ‘THE rich person’s playground’. As a resident nowadays, would you agree with that assessment?
“Dubai portrays itself as the biggest and best and in most ways it lives up to that billing. If there is something that you always wanted to do, then the chances are it will be available in Dubai.
There is a tremendous fusion of cultures, which makes life very interesting. It is also really quite small, so wherever you go you tend to bump into people you know.
The beaches and marinas are fantastic; it really is a great to place to raise a young family. We live about twenty minutes from the beaches and sea in one direction and about 15km from the desert in the other.
It sounds amazing, is there nothing bad about Dubai?
Not really, H.H Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum is doing everything in his power to make it perfect. If there was a downside, it would have to be the traffic. People drive everywhere and traffic can be a problem. Howevr, even this is under control and there is a new 7-lane highway and two other multi-lane roads running parallel to each other, which make a huge difference.
How have you found balancing living there and competing mainly in the UK?
“It is difficult at times no question, but the positives easily outweigh any negatives.
In terms of my game, maybe I could have achieved more by staying in the UK, but I will never know.
Getting the balance right is the toughest part though. If I overdo the family life, then my game suffers. As a result, I have tended to focus more on my game and get that in shape, which affects the family life. But, I guess that is not something that only I have to deal with.
On the rest of the season
My unbroken stay in the top-16 is something I am extremely proud of, and would love to continue.
If I don’t do well, in China and Sheffield, then there is a real chance I will drop out of the 16. That is a worst case scenario for me, but on the other hand, I would look at that positively.
Playing qualifying rounds would mean more matches, and opportunity to get into the tournament. I would see it as a challenge to get back in. Steve (Davis) did it recently and Mark Williams looks like he could do it this year.
Global-snooker.com wishes Peter Ebdon all the best for the rest of the season and with his kind of determined attitude, whatever he has to do in order to keep his top-16 place when it comes to Sheffield, we certainly wouldn't bet against it.
Peter Ebdon plays Nigel Bond in the first round at Sheffield…
