Why 'extraordinary' Jimmy White is still going strong ahead of record year as a professional on World Snooker Tour
Published 31/12/2025 at 08:20 GMT
React to this story
Jimmy 'Whirlwind' White came up agonisingly short in his quest for another major title on Sunday when he lost 7-5 to Joe Perry in the final of the British Seniors Open. Despite celebrating the last of his 10 ranking title wins in 2004, the six-time world finalist continues to combine his playing career with work as a pundit on TNT Sports and has also claimed four World Seniors crowns since 2010.
Can Jimmy White recreate Judd Trump's brilliance?
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jimmy White continues to display a remarkable passion for potting with his glorious professional snooker career set to enter a record-breaking 46th year in 2026.
But fellow veteran competitor Dominic Dale feels that it is White's "extraordinary" ability to bounce back from defeats which is the key reason why he is still competing on the main circuit at the age of 63.
The evergreen six-time Crucible finalist turned professional in 1980, but continues to produce flashes of the vintage form that saw him ranked world No. 2 in 1988, illustrated by his run to the final of the British Seniors Open final on Sunday in Derby.
After defeating 1997 world champion Ken Doherty 4-2 and recent Shoot Out winner Alfie Burden 5-3, White came up just short in being edged out 7-5 by Joe Perry in the title match.
Three-time ranking event winner Dale joined Perry by retiring from the main tour after last season's World Championship, but feels White and Doherty continue to play because they have prioritised enjoying competing over winning matches.
"I find that extraordinary," said Dale on World Snooker Tour after losing 4-0 to Burden in the last eight of the British Seniors.
"I wonder if they ever find it dispiriting, given how good they were in their prime?
"Obviously, the standard of play has greatly advanced over the past decade, so they are losing more matches than they were accustomed to, but they seem to accept that very well.
"If you want to keep going, then you have to understand that you are going to miss a lot more balls.
"It's not for me, I couldn't go through that as much as Jimmy and Ken do."
- Who are the top 10 greatest snooker players of all time?
- 'Geezer is unbelievable' - O'Sullivan's 'massive' snooker rival set for career change
- Why snooker great Williams could become a unique double world champion at Crucible
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2024/10/27/4056184-82261333-2560-1440.jpg)
‘What have you had for breakfast?’ - White dazzles with potting exhibition
Video credit: TNT Sports
Stephen Hendry defeated White four times in world finals in 1990, 1992, 1993 and 1994 - when White infamously missed a routine black in the final frame of an agonising 18-17 defeat - with Steve Davis (1984) and John Parrott (1991) denying him on the other two occasions.
Despite coming up short in his quest to claim the sport's biggest prize, Hendry feels the TNT Sports analyst merits his spot among the top 10 greatest players in the history of the game.
White won the Masters in 1984 and UK Championship in 1992, but Hendry feels his natural ability merited a greater trophy haul than only 10 ranking titles, the last of which saw him defeat the great Paul Hunter 9-7 at the 2004 Players Championship final in Glasgow.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/02/15/4098343-83104513-2560-1440.jpg)
O'Sullivan, Davis, Hendry, White? Snooker stars name their childhood heroes
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Everybody goes on about him being in six finals, and not winning one, but what a player he was," said Hendry, who feels White invented the "naughty snooker" which world No. 1 Judd Trump performs.
"People look at him now, a bit like myself, and he is a shadow of what he was. He obviously still says he can win the world title, but deep down he knows he won't.
"When you look back, what a player he was. He invented naughty snooker.
"The way he played with his talent, and he has said it himself, with his off-table activities, with his talent, he should have won a lot more."
White is set to return to action on Monday when he takes on Huang Jiahao in German Masters qualifying in Sheffield, live on discovery+ at 19:00 (GMT).
- - -
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the 2026 Masters, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement