Davis - still competing at highest level (Getty Images)
DAVIS READY TO BREAK NEW RECORDS
Steve Davis has been breaking records throughout a professional career
stretching back over a quarter of a century.
Davis is the oldest player at this season's Embassy World Championship though
he still has some way to go to improve on namesake Fred's record of competing at
the Crucible, aged 69.
But his achievement at regaining his top 16 status at the age of 45 in an era
dominated by players nearly 20 years his junior may never be surpassed.
While there are a clutch of professionals arriving in Sheffield fretting about
their ranking for next season - including Jimmy White - six-times world champion
Davis is not one of them.
He is provisionally 12th after last week's Scottish Open having started the
campaign in 25th position.
"I'm in a no-lose situation," agreed the Essex legend, who faces deposed LG
Cup and Scottish Open champion Stephen Lee in his first match.
"I've no reason to feel disappointed even if I lose my opening match," he
added.
"I have visions of walking in with a bottle of champagne to my press
conference and saying 'this has been a successful season'.
"I've never lost to a player ranked below me and I've taken some notable
scalps along the way.
"I feel much more competitive these days and I'm no longer going to
tournaments just to make up the numbers.
"In some respects I'm like a new kid on the block. Having to qualify for the
Crucible puts a whole different perspective on things.
"And I feel I can go to Sheffield with a fair chance of winning against
Stephen Lee -though he probably thinks the same about playing me.
"I don't have to worry about what my general standard is like anymore.
"By dropping out of the top 16 I finally shook off an albatross round my
neck. I finally got rid of any shackles of trying to live up to the player I
used to be."
Even so Davis knows he will not feature highly in the pre-tournament betting.
"I'm still not one of the favourites for tournaments but people who watch
snooker a lot, or are on the circuit regularly, know ''m back to some sort of
form.
"I'll be 46 in August - but I don't feel 46. The younger players may look at
me in those eyes but you don't feel that age yourself.
"And wouldn't it be nice if I could return to the Crucible when I was 50."
It is 14 years since Davis destroyed John Parrott 18-3 to land the last of his
six world titles.
And official bookmakers Ladbrokes are offering 125-1 on the 'Nugget' bridging
that gap this year.
"The fascinating thing will be to see if Peter Ebdon can retain his title,"
he said.
"That seems to be the hardest thing for anyone to do."
No first time champion has ever returned to the Crucible and defended the
trophy - not even Davis or seven times champion Stephen Hendry.
Davis was on the wrong end of a 10-1 scoreline against Tony Knowles when he
tried back in 1982.
Davis added: "I haven't a clue who is going to win this year. It's more wide
open than ever.
"A few months ago I thought it might be between Mark Williams or Hendry. But
then Ronnie ran into form and John Higgins is looking like he's playing a lot
better again.
"It could even be an outsider. We've seen Chris Small win the LG Cup and
David Gray become Scottish Open champion - so why not?"
Whatever happens Davis will still be at the final day on May 5 - even if only
in his role as co-presenter with John Parrott for BBC TV's coverage of the
tournament.
"I've really enjoyed combining playing with the television work," he said.
"But playing is what I do for my own sanity. The most satisfaction I can get
out of any job is when I'm playing snooker.
"And you only need a bit of encouragement to start enjoying the challenge.
"In the past I was hating the challenge because I wasn't getting any
encouragement from my performances. But that's not the case anymore."
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