World News – UK – Young players need to practice – thing

China’s Ding Junhui says he cannot see many young players from his country who will soon match his success because they are not committed enough.

Ding, 33, has won 14 rankings and will start his UK Championship defense on Thursday in Milton Keynes.

The number 10 in the world told BBC Sport: « You have to have a daily schedule, a training schedule, and they don’t show that, at least what I can see.

World Snooker Chairman Barry Hearn said in 2016 that China would dominate snooker in the future, predicting that half of the country’s top 16 players would be from.

However, next to 20-year-old Yan Bingtao, Ding is only one of two Chinese players in the current top 16.

Ding is trying to help the next generation of Chinese players, many of whom have moved to the UK to develop their snooker careers.

« Right now I don’t see many following in my footsteps. Maybe in three or four years, « he said.

« We can’t put too much pressure on them because people have different lives. It’s hard when we leave our homes, parents, our culture and no one is here to take care of you. You have to take care of yourself. « 

Ding became the pride of his snooker-loving nation in 2005 when he soon after he turned 18. Won the China Open on his birthday.

Later that year, he won the first of three British championships and won the Masters in 2011. This made the World Cup the only triple crown trophy that was missing from his collection.

The standard of young players in general was harshly criticized by Ronnie O’Sullivan during this year’s scheduled World Cup in August. En route to his sixth Sheffield title, O’Sullivan said he would have to « lose an arm and a leg to get out of the top 50 ». .

Earlier this year, Ding founded a snooker academy in Sheffield – where he is based – to coach young players.

« I give you advice and if you listen you can do good, » he said. « I just want to try to help the boys.

« If you win, enjoy it; if you lose, you don’t want to talk. I just want to help them work harder and think about it and bring out their talents.

With the coronavirus pandemic that led to the cancellation of the big money events in China this year, Ding hasn’t played in the country or seen his family there in months, but says they see him on TV along with his millions are from fans.

« I can only win tournaments and make them happy. There’s a bit of pressure even though there aren’t fans watching it live, « he said.

MOTD2 expert Danny Murphy says it’s understandable why people doubt Mikel Arteta and his tactics because of her poor run, but is confident that the Arsenal boss will change things.

UK Championship, Championship, Ding Junhui, Ryan Day, Snooker, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Anthony Hamilton