Gunning for more glory

Interview : Pankaj Advani, who won his 14th world title last Sunday, says he's never been more determined

Pressure and expectations sit very lightly on the shoulders of Pankaj Advani. For a little more than a decade now, the 30-year-old has been the flag-bearer of Indian cue sports and he has rarely let anyone down. Last Sunday in Adelaide, Advani successfully defended his IBSF World Billiards (time format) title, destroying Peter Gilchrist in the final to take his world title count to a staggering 14.

Enjoying another superlative year, having also won the world 6-red snooker title in August, Advani showed that his appetite for excellence is as raw and fresh when he first picked up the cue. In a free-wheeling chat with Deccan Herald, the Bengalurean talks about his latest triumph, his next target and the intention to settle down in life that has given more than it has taken.

Excerpts…

All world titles are special. But if you have to rate this one, where would you rate it?

I don’t know where I would rate this in terms of number because I’m not much of a numbers person. I  think it’s very special because I feel that after losing the first final in the points format to the same player — Peter Gilchrist — I was able to put that behind me and settle scores in a way. I was very charged up to win the time format title. In terms of motivational level, I’ve never been hungrier, more determined and I’ve never had more drive to win a world title.

So, was revenge on your mind then?

Peter is a lovely sportsperson and he is a very great guy. We have wonderful mutual respect for each other and I think he’s a phenomenal player. So, out of pure respect for a champion like him, I felt I needed to start from scratch from the word go. I wouldn’t say its revenge but because I’m aware of his abilities as a player and his exceptional performances over the years, I felt I needed to really take off from the start and not take my foot off the pedal any time. I was very sharp and alert from the word go.

You’ve been competing in world billiards championship for more than a decade now. How is the competition now as compared to the previous years?

I think it’s very competitive even now. I can’t speak about the latest stuff going on between IBSF (International Billiards and Snooker Federation) — the amateur body — and WBL (World Billiards Limited). I’m sure the issues between them will get sorted out by next year. This time some of the players were divided between the IBSF and WBL. All of us would have liked to have played against each other, be it (Mike) Russell, David Causer or Robert Hall who were missing from this championship.

But in terms of the competition at this event, I think everyone is getting better. In the points format, I think any of the top-20 players has a chance of beating the other. In time format, if you take off like I did in the final, it’s difficult to make a comeback. I don’t want to get into the politics between IBSF and WBL, which I think administrators will take care of. But all the top players exist. Maybe they were with WBL this year but next year, there could be a compromise and you may see them competing in this event as well.

You’ve won the world 6-red snooker and the world time format billiards titles this year. So is the world 15-red snooker championship next month the next target?

I’ll try and give it my best. I’ll definitely do whatever it takes to prepare and do my homework for the tournament. Obviously the nature of snooker is such that, it’s unpredictable. You need to have a good fortnight, or very importantly a good week towards the end of the tournament to win it. Every day has to be virtually a good day. I’m enjoying my snooker all over again. I’m first looking forward to a break which is much needed. I’ve been travelling continuously for the last two months now and playing tournament after tournament.

If you win a pro tour ticket from the world championship next month would you consider going back to the tour?

I think I just want to let it be for now. There are no immediate plans. I’m more looking at the marriage angle and settling down, not that I’m seeing anyone now or I need to get married immediately. These things take time. So if I go to England, it will set me back by another two years. Being in India enables me to lead a balanced life. That’s what I lacked when I was in England for the last two years. While I definitely developed as a player there, my life was very one-dimensional. I’m actually making up for that by enjoying a good social life, being with family and also playing all over the world.

Every time you enrol for a world championship, you are expected to win. How have you been managing the expectations?

Over the years I’ve realised that I’m a human being and I’m going to make mistakes. I can’t play flawless every time. I learnt to accept the fact that there are going to be mistakes. I know I’m going to get a lot of opportunities to perform, it’s not like the tournament that I’m playing is going to be my last.

Since I’ve won titles, I feel the pressure is going away. Sometimes when you’ve not won for a while, the pressure adds up. The fact that I have titles with me, it makes me free in my approach. I think it’s a privilege to be in a position where a lot is expected from you. Whoever you play, the opponent knows he has to play at a very high level which in turn makes you play at a much higher level. It’s a privilege being a top seed or a favourite. It just pushes me to a higher level.

Sports Ministry has decided to limit funds for non-Olympic sports. Does it irk you that despite cue sports having produced so many world champions, it doesn't get major budget because it’s not an Olympic sport?

I don’t know what is going to happen. I have conveyed this point to the Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) during my interaction with him. I’m really hopeful it will help. Obviously, as a player, these things are very close to your heart. I’ve tried to do my bit and it all depends on the decisions they make. We are not going to be a part of the Tokyo Olympics which means it will take another nine years before we again try to gain a berth. So they will have to look into our immediate future.