Ricky Leaving Las Vegas
Ricky Walden qualified for the final stages of this year’s world championship for the first time and immediately had to make changes to his travel plans.
“I have lost in the final qualifying round in the past three years, so I am not used to playing snooker in April”, the 26-year-old told Global-snooker.com
“My friends are great, they give me stick over not having played there and in the past we have all headed off somewhere when the tournament is on so I am not tormented too badly by not being involved”.
“Las Vegas is a favourite and that was on the cards this time, but I guess they’ll have to go without me this year, which is great”.
Walden lost the opening frame against Anthony Hamilton, but was never behind again in the match and ran out a 10-5 winner.
“In snooker terms, until you have done it, qualifying for The Crucible has so much importance placed on it”.
“I tried to block that out this year and play my normal game, but it is tough, I have never been more nervous playing a match, at times it felt like I could hardly walk”.
“Now that I have made the final stages, the tournament really begins, there is a temptation to think that I have achieved a goal, but I want to push on now.”
The draw for the last 32 round , which starts at The Crucible Theatre in Sheffield on April 18, takes place on BBC Radio Sheffield this Wednesday at 9.45am.
