Snooker icon Jimmy White has voiced his clear frustration after fellow professional Dave Gilbert attributed his UK Championship exit to a lack of preparation, a revelation the six-time World Championship finalist simply "doesn't get".
The Angry Farmer's Surprising Confession
The drama unfolded at York's Barbican Centre on Sunday night, where Dave Gilbert, known as the 'Angry Farmer', was defeated 6-4 by three-time world champion Mark Williams in the tournament's opening round. Despite the loss, Gilbert produced moments of brilliance, crafting the match's only two century breaks.
However, in his post-match interview with TNT Sports, the 44-year-old Englishman offered a startling explanation for the result. He revealed that friend and coach Andy Lee had only persuaded him to start practising 10-12 days before the event. Gilbert admitted he had "hardly played" since a tournament in Saudi Arabia months earlier and had "bodged through the qualifiers".
"I think if I could hit a couple of shots again, a bit more practice, I think I’d have won that match," Gilbert stated, adding he had "nothing to feel bad about" after trying his best on the night.
White's Blunt Reaction to Gilbert's Mindset
The comments did not sit well with the beloved 'Whirlwind', Jimmy White. Speaking from a position of vast experience, White expressed bewilderment that a player of Gilbert's calibre – a ranking event winner and 2019 World Championship semi-finalist – would not commit fully to his craft.
"Well why didn’t he practice then? I don’t get that," said White pointedly. "He’s got such a talent, but that frustrates me to hear someone say that someone else had to get them to practice."
White suggested Gilbert's attitude might hint at a deeper issue. "Maybe he doesn’t want to go through what you have to go through to win? You have to ask yourself the question," he mused. The veteran concluded that Gilbert should have simply accepted the defeat without citing his poor preparation as a cause.
Gilbert's Candid Struggle with Focus
Gilbert had already hinted at his practice woes after coming through qualifying, where he beat Iulian Boiko and Daniel Wells. When asked if something had 'clicked' to secure his Barbican place, he was brutally honest: "No not at all. I hardly play now."
He opened up about the mental challenges he faces, describing a significant struggle to maintain concentration during matches. "I just find it so hard to concentrate nowadays. I don’t know if it’s my age or just because I’ve been doing different things away from snooker," Gilbert explained.
Using a vivid analogy, he added: "I’m like a gnat. I’m alright for a frame and a half but then I’m just missing in my own brain. That’s the difficult thing for me."
Tournament Progress and Aftermath
The victor, Mark Williams, now advances to the last 16 where he will face China's Pang Junxu. Pang secured his spot with a 6-2 victory over his compatriot Xiao Guodong on Sunday night.
Despite firing in two centuries during his match, Xiao Guodong's exit marked a significant moment in the tournament, as he became the first seeded player to lose in York this year, ending a run of seven consecutive wins for the top 16 stars.
The exchange between White and Gilbert has sparked debate within the snooker community about professionalism, motivation, and the immense dedication required to compete at the sport's highest level, especially against seasoned champions like Mark Williams.
