Anthony Hamilton has just under two months to prepare for what could be his final tournament as a professional, at the season ending World Championship, and he's determined to make the most of it.
The Sheriff of Pottingham has enjoyed a stellar career, which spans across an uninterrupted run of 34 years on the World Snooker Tour since 1991. He celebrated a landmark moment in 2017 when he won a maiden ranking title at the German Masters.
However, Hamilton is currently projected to finish the season outside of the world’s top 64 and drop off the circuit. After failing to qualify for the Players Series or next week's World Open, he is setting his sights on Sheffield in a bid to retain his place as a professsional.
The 53-year-old has endured a turbulent few years, after eye lens replacement surgery went wrong and caused his eyesight to be impaired. Hamilton has also been wrestling with back and neck issues.
We’ve caught up with Hamilton to look ahead to the World Championship, reflect about his career so far and discuss the future…
Anthony, thanks for speaking to us. First of all, what will it be like having nearly two months to get ready for the World Championship?
“I don’t mind the build-up. This could possibly be my last tournament as a professional, so I just thought I may as well give it 100 percent. That is what I’ve always done. You don’t want to take your foot off the gas right at the end of your career. Lots of players are looking towards their career ending or dropping off, but you just have to make sure you are potting balls and getting your technique right. That never changes. I’ll get a lot of games in with other pros and try to beat them like I always have.
“I will definitely enjoy it. I would enjoy it more if I could put in the work that I used to. I’ll have to play it by ear with how my back is. The work process and getting ready for tournaments is my favourite thing about being a professional really. Getting up every day, going to the club and playing against young players. I keep telling them, that this is a great job. There is nobody looking over the top of us and telling us what to do. We are just playing snooker in the club against each other. That is enjoyable. It is a great job, as the carrot is always there. I have to remind myself and other players how good it is. It can be easy to forget that, as it is also a game which does your head in!”
If you don’t get the results you need, will you continue to play and go to Q School?
“I would definitely play in Q School. I think the pros that drop off have a bit of an advantage over the amateurs. You may as well do it and make use of the advantage. I haven’t made any decisions, but more than likely if I didn’t qualify then I would retire. That isn’t 100%, but I think it is a 90% chance I would retire and start coaching.
“I don’t know what the feeling of actually dropping off the tour would be like, as I haven’t done it before, but I have been in the situation where I’ve had to win matches at the World Championship to stay on. It is weird because even if you aren’t trying to stay on, you are always trying your best at that event. It is the best tournament. The results are even more important there. I’m not thinking that it could be my last tournament. It of course is in the back of my mind, but you are spinning so many plates out there as it is. You need to just pot balls and try to win matches.”
How are your eyes currently?
“From day one my eyes were done. As soon as I had the operation they were done for snooker forever. That will never change. I knew instantly my career was over after that operation. The first shot I played, I knew it. That has been my biggest problem and the worst thing was the whole point of it was to give me a career swansong. That is a real shame. There was no reason I couldn’t have kept playing well. I’ve just been potting balls to stay on the tour. I still enjoy trying to win with this handicap, in a sadistic way.”
How much pride do you take in having been on the circuit for such a long time?
“There is a pride in being able to stay enthusiastic for long enough. There aren’t many people who would do exactly the same job for 34 years. Usually they may get promoted or change job titles. To do it for 34 years requires a certain sort of personality. To keep on doing it. As a snooker player you are self-employed. You get out of bed and you need to pot balls to put food on the table. I am proud of it all, but especially in the last five or six years. I’ve been at a very low percentage of my old game. That has been the proudest period. I’ve been barely able to pot a ball in some ways and I’ve still stayed on the circuit. That tells you something about my will, determination and experience. I’ve been rubbish, but it has been the most impressive time for me. I’ve got lots of problems to overcome.”
Does having finally lifted a trophy at the German Masters in 2017 make you reflect on your career in a far more positive light?
“It is very satisfying that, in the final against Ali Carter, I managed to play 100% of my game. It wasn’t just winning, it was the way that I played. It was so satisfying to bring together everything I’d done on the practice table for 30 years. I found it when I needed it the most. I maybe just knew this was my last chance. I got something out of myself that I hadn’t managed to do for years. Just feeling that great on the table, in a final, was a buzz. If I had lost 9-8 and still hit the ball that well, I wouldn’t have been disappointed. That was the most important session of my career and it was so satisfying to boss the game like I did. It would have been nice to win a tournament and scrape over the line, but it was even nicer that I felt great in an amazing venue like that.”
You are always talked about in extremely high regard by your fellow professionals. How much does that mean to you?
“Snooker players should stick together. Even though I said it is a lovely job, it is brain damage and it isn’t for everyone. The sport is so hard. I think snooker players are the best people. They have to go through so many ups and downs. We should have each other’s backs. For other players to say nice things is important to me. I’ve always tried to be empathetic. You obviously want to beat their brains in while you are playing. However, I want everyone to do well. To get nice words is almost more important than having a successful career.”
Outside of your German Masters win, what do you look at as the highlights of your career?
"The first pro-am I won with my mum and dad there when I was 17, goes down as one of the best moments. We won it together having already got up at 6am countless times to travel round the country for other events where I got beaten.
"All of the Crucible appearances stick in the memory and the drives into Sheffield. Turning off junction 33 was amazing and those were brilliant days. Playing at Wembley in the Masters was great. I loved all the finals I played in, even though I lost two. Finally, as I’ve said, all of the practising. Nobody sees what you are doing but the most satisfaction comes from playing perfect snooker from 10am until 6pm every day. That is the game. The matches are just trying to earn money. However, when you are practising it is pure snooker. I’ve loved it all. I’ve seen and played against all the greats, from Steve Davis, to Stephen Hendry and then Ronnie, Mark and John. It has been nice to a small part of it."
When you do hang up your cue, which players would you like to work with as a coach?
“I want to work with players from all levels. However, in terms of the professional scene I’d like to work with anyone who thought I could get something out of them. Obviously there are some players you can see might suit you, but I think you change your style depending on the personality. Everyone is different. That will be a new thing. If I get lucky enough to help a couple of players out, it will be great and exciting to see if I can get the best out of them.”