Snooker legend Jimmy White has spoken out on his rivalry with Steve Davis, who famously acquired the higher of The Whirlwind in a World Championship closing
Jimmy White taking part in in Hong Kong in 2025 (Picture: Eurasia Sport Photos, Getty Photos)
Snooker legend Jimmy White has spoken about his relationship with Steve Davis after the pair traded blows on the baize throughout the sport’s heyday.
Davis and White clashed repeatedly on the desk throughout the Eighties when each have been on the peak of their powers. Davis defeated White within the 1984 world closing, one in every of six events White ended up as runner-up on the Crucible.
Davis secured a number of extra closing victories earlier than the last decade ended, although White triumphed over his opponent on the 1988 Canadian Masters. Regardless of the aggressive nature of their encounters, White emphasises there was at all times mutual respect.
“Steve Davis and I at all times revered one another. It was solely the crimson tops that made us rivals,” White mentioned after his exhibition match vs Ken Doherty on the Midnite Lounge, a luxurious space open to all followers attending the Masters. “We do exhibitions collectively, we journey in the identical automotive. We have by no means had an issue with one another.”
White’s remarks observe Davis praising his former adversary again in December 2024, when he advised Mirror Sport about his admiration for The Whirlwind. “For Jimmy to be competing and beating among the high gamers on the earth on a weekly foundation is simply incredible. Lengthy might it proceed,” he mentioned, describing White’s capability to stay aggressive in his 60s as “superb”.
“He is aware of full nicely he can have a extremely good match after which the subsequent time it may not fairly work, and that is the frustration. You recognize you possibly can produce it each every so often, however consistency is the issue as you grow old. When he manages to place it collectively, it is incredible to look at.”
Davis beat White to win the world title in 1984 (Picture: VCG, VCG by way of Getty Photos)
Whereas White’s Masters look was confined to the exhibition conflict with Doherty, among the sport’s most interesting expertise took centre stage at Alexandra Palace. Defending champion Shaun Murphy, nonetheless, endured a disappointing early departure, falling 6-2 to Wu Yize within the first spherical.
Wu will face final 12 months’s runner-up Kyren Wilson in Saturday’s semi-final. The victor will then meet both Judd Trump or John Higgins in Sunday’s closing.
Midnite, sponsors of the 2026 Masters, will likely be unveiling the Midnite Shuttle on Sunday forward of the ultimate, transporting followers from Alexandra Palace Station to the principle entrance, saving them the arduous stroll up the hill.
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Ken Doherty helped followers up the Alexander Palace hill with the Midnite shuttle (Picture: Midnite)
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