Thirty years after winning his first and only UK Championship title, Jimmy White will be well-received when he returns to the final stages of the tournament in York on Saturday.
At the age of 60, White eliminated former winner Stephen Maguire and world number 57 Dominic Dale in the playoffs to reach the Round of 16 for the first time in more than a decade.
White’s achievement is even more notable given the difficulties he’s faced on the track in recent seasons, leading some to question the validity of continuing to award the 1992 winner and six-time world runner-up a wildcard.
But for Joe Perry, at 48 and the second oldest player in the lottery, whose success at the Welsh Open earlier this year made him the second oldest winner of the event, White continues to provide an inspiration to generations of players.
“Jamie gets his wildcard for as long as he wants it; he’s great at the game and it’s nice to see him get some rewards for the hard work he puts in,” said Berry, who will play friend Neil Robertson on Sunday.
“Without a doubt, he’s an inspiration to all of us. When I think Jimmy is 60 and still struggling, and I think it’s time for me and I’m 48, he’s 12 years older than me, so you can’t complain about your age.”
White made his UK Championship debut in 1984, losing to Steve Davis in the round of 16, and reached the finals in 1987 and 1991 before winning the title in 1992, defeating John Parrott 16-9 in the final.
It took another 11 years before he returned to the semi-finals of the tournament, seeing as his career ended with eventual winner Matthew Stevens in 2003.
“Each of these guys are in the top 16 for a reason and that’s because they’re consistent,” White told the World Snooker Tour. “I’m ranked because I’m not consistent, but my ‘A’ game is comparable to any of them.”
Defending champion Zhao Xintong kicked off the tournament on Saturday afternoon against Sam Craigie, before White and Day made the highlight of the opening night’s session.
Stevens, who won White en route to his only title in 2003, also came back in time to pass the playoffs and set up a first-round showdown with Ronnie O’Sullivan on Monday.
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