The A to Z of Steven Hallworth

Find out more about the 20-year-old from Lincoln, ahead of his 918.com German Masters clash with Mark Selby on Wednesday.

Interview by Jonathan Davies

Abroad – What is your favourite holiday destination?
I went to Jamaica a few years ago and that is pretty close to paradise! It was amazing – the weather, the food and the people – I’d love to go back there.

Book – What is the last book you read?
Succeed and Grow Rich through Persuasion by Napoleon Hill.

Cue – What cue do you use?
I’ve got a Dave Coutts cue – he amended my cue when I was 13 to the exact specification that I wanted. I also wear his logo on my waistcoat to give him some exposure.

Day – What happens in a typical working day for you?
I get up about 7am, have my breakfast and practise from 9am until 5pm most days. There’s a gym that is 30 seconds away, so I go there for about an hour and come home and watch the soaps.

Education – How would you get on in a pub quiz?
I think I’d be ok with questions about recent times – I’ve got quite a good general knowledge – but I’d be useless at things like history.

Film – What is your favourite film?
I’ve grown up with the Harry Potter movies and every time there’s one on TV, I always put it on. I love every single film.

Goals – What are your aims for this season?
It’s the second year of my tour card and I’m in a position of make or break to keep my place. I’ve decided to stop looking at the bigger picture this season and pressure myself to stay on the tour, I’m just going to take one game at a time.

Hobbies – What are your interests away from the table?
I love going to the gym and going out socialising with my friends.

Idols – Who are yours?
On a snooker basis, Ronnie O’Sullivan. Otherwise, I idolise any winner that is at the top of any sport – the likes of Roger Federer, Tiger Woods and Floyd Mayweather.

Job – What would you be if you weren’t a snooker player?
I’ve always been interested in sport, so maybe something down that route. My practice facility is on an RAF base, so I’ve got one foot in the door there if needs be.

Kid – Were you a well-behaved child?
I think I was – I’ve been brought up well and had a good upbringing. My parents have always showed me the right path to go on in life.

Lucky – What is the biggest piece of luck you’ve ever had?
I can count my blessings that I’ve been bought up the way I have been and that my parents have always supported me – I’m very grateful to them for that because, if they weren’t there doing that, I wouldn’t be where I am now.

Moan – What makes you have a good moan?
I hate people eating with their mouth open – I have to leave the room – and, also, when people interrupt you when you are talking.

Nightmare – What is your worst ever moment on a snooker table?
Just losing in general. Particularly if it’s your own fault, it can be quite demoralising.

Oops! – What is the clumsiest thing you’ve ever done?
We went to Tenerife on a family holiday when I was a child. We were on a terraced balcony area and there was a playing area underneath. I’d made friends with a kid, who was playing there, and I was talking to him. I put my head through the railings and ended up getting stuck. Apparently, a load of people had to come and saw off the railings to get me out. That always seems to come up at family gatherings.

Picky – Is there anything that you’re particular about?
I don’t think I’m a very picky person.

Quiet – How long could you last in a sponsored silence?
Probably about 10 seconds! I do like a chat and am quite a talkative person when you get to know me. If it was for a good cause then I’d do it, but it would be very hard.

Retirement – What do you plan to do after hanging up your cue?
If I have a successful career then I’d like to do a bit of work for the BBC. Otherwise, I’d probably just get a place abroad and live a life of luxury in the sun – drinking cocktails on the beach sounds pretty good to me.

Shopping – Where do you buy your clothes from?
Wherever there’s a high street, I’m there – Topman, River Island and JD mainly.

TV – What are your favourite programmes?
I watch the soaps every night – they’re a guilty pleasure for me. Also, I don’t know why, but I love watching programmes with David Attenborough. He could narrate anything and I’d probably watch it.

Unforgettable – What is your greatest ever moment on a snooker table?
I’ll never forget the pink I potted to turn professional in the deciding frame against Mitchell Travis at the 2014 EBSA Play-Offs in Sheffield.

Venue – What is your favourite venue to play at?
I would like to play at the Crucible, but I enjoyed playing in the Welsh Open at the Motorpoint Arena against Shaun Murphy on the TV table. I’m also massively looking forward to playing at the Tempodrom in Berlin – I’ve heard a lot of good reports about it.

Wheels – What car do you drive?
I’ve got a Peugeot 206 at the minute – I’ve had it for three years. I also drive my mum’s Audi A1 at the weekend.

X – If you could kiss any girl in the world, who would it be?
Jennifer Aniston – she is perfection.

YIKES! – Do you have any phobias?
I have one called Trypophobia which is a fear of anything with lots of holes in it. A friend recently showed me a picture of someone’s hand that had lots of holes in and it really freaked me out.

Zzzzz – What puts you to sleep?
I can sleep anywhere at any time, I don’t really need anything to help me.