Snooker champion admits ‘I’m still struggling’ as he reaches out | Other | Sport
Stuart Bingham is refusing to run away from his battle with the yips as he strives to complete snooker’s Triple Crown. The former World and Masters champion needs the UK Championship to complete the set of snooker’s top titles.
He won’t be at the 2025 York showpiece, which begins on Saturday, after losing 6-5 to Scott Donaldson in the final round of qualifying, having led 5-0 at one stage. But the competitive fire still burns within Ballrun, 49, despite the anxiety issue that has derailed the careers of some of his peers. Bingham has been battling the problem for some time, even turning to the hypnotherapist used by management stablemate Kyren Wilson for help. He hasn’t found a cure yet but remains determined to prolong his career into his sixth decade.
He tells Express Sport prior to UK Championship qualifying: “I’m still struggling. Some days it’s there and I can battle through it. Some days it’s there and I can’t battle through it and I feel awful playing.
“I worked with a hypnotherapist Kyren was using. It was helping but I called it a day. I felt like I could sort it out myself. I might go down the route of a sports psychologist.
“When the pressure is on, that’s when it shows its face, and it’s not enjoyable. If I’m playing the green to come down the table, say, those right-to-left shots, my back arm goes all tight. I can’t seem to time it.
“I can literally be 4ft out of position. It’s hard because positional play is one of my strong points. Instead of making 50, you’re making 15. It’s hard to take. But I still got to final of the Grand Prix [in March], and I was suffering all the way through that tournament. I can still win matches, but sometimes it’s harder.”
Numerous darts players have suffered similar issues. On the oche, it is known as dartitis, which manifests itself in the player struggling to let go of the arrow.
“Nathan Aspinall [who also went down the hypnotherapy route], the darts player, has gone through a similar thing,” says Bingham. “He said it’s like a panic attack. For me, it’s like having a panic attack when I’m about to hit the ball.
“You’re thinking, ‘I can’t pot this.’ It can be a black off the spot or an easy red. If I’m on the wrong side of it, it seems to show up. Then, all of a sudden, it will go and I’ll find a bit of timing. It’s so frustrating.”
The yips effectively ended the career of Stephen Hendry, with Bingham confiding in the seven-time world champion about his own issues. He reveals: “I spoke to Steve Davis and Stephen Hendry when we were at the Champions Dinner at the Worlds about how to overcome it. Stephen suffered from it; I think that’s why he retired.”
But Bingham has no intention of hanging up his cue. Quite the opposite, in fact. This Christmas, while many pros will be enjoying a break or participating in lucrative exhibitions in the Far East, Bingham will be in competitive action after accepting an invitation to play in the British Seniors Open in Derby, which starts on Boxing Day.
Bingham has been drawn to face the recently retired Joe Perry in the quarter-finals. The tournament will also feature Jimmy White, Ken Doherty and Matthew Stevens.
“I’ll be taking it easy at Christmas with just a couple of red wines!” he jokes. “Jason Francis [the boss of the World Seniors Snooker] asked me and I grabbed it with both hands.
“He’s invited me to the World Seniors Championship in May after the Worlds too. It’s always nice to finish the season at the Crucible. I’m one of these players who still loves playing. If there’s a tournament, if there’s a pro-am, wherever, I’ll be there.”
The continued competitiveness of the ‘Class of 92’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and John Higgins – proves that age should be no barrier to future success on the baize. Bingham, who turns shortly 50 after the next World Championship, says: “With Mark Williams winning [the Xi’an Grand Prix] recently, it gives you hope you can still do it.
“Obviously, we’re talking about the cream of the game. On the day, I still feel I can beat anyone. Those days are just few and far between at the moment.
“I’m working hard on my game, still enjoy playing, but just having a few bad days that knock your confidence. Hopefully, I can turn a corner.”
