Englishman Alfie Burden is faced with the task of taking on Chinese legend Ding Junhui on his home soil at next week's inaugural Xi'an Grand Prix, but it is an occasion that the world number 78 is relishing. We caught up with Burden to preview his trip to China...
Alfie, thanks for talking to us. You had a mixed showing at qualfying, beating Andrew Higginson to make the final stages of the British Open and missing out on the Wuhan Open after a loss against Jamie Clarke. How are you feeling about the season ahead?
“I’m really looking forward to the season and first and foremost that is the most important thing for me. I’ve not always been in that position. I am in that space where I’m looking forward to playing and practising. That is really positive for me.
“I lost 5-4 from 2-0 up against Jamie. I played really good snooker to get in that position and then Jamie came back and turned it around. In a weird way, it was a positive that I was absolutely devastated to lose that match. Over the past decade I’ve played matches, got beaten and not been that bothered. It took me a couple of hours to stop sulking. That is good because it means I want to play and I want to win again. I managed to be on the other end of a decider winning 4-3 against Andrew Higginson and I was 2-0 down.
“I’ve been around a long time and I know it is so easy to panic. You think if you don’t win your next qualifier then it is half your season gone in a week. It isn’t half your season, but these are the things which go through your head. You have to try and not panic if you lose your first game in a set of qualifiers. I’ve experienced all of these emotions over the years. Now I am learning that if you lose a game then don’t carry those negative emotions over to your next match."
What are your thoughts ahead of facing Ding in Xi'an?
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve played Ding once before in China and he is obviously very popular out there. I made a 100 break in the first frame, thinking it was promising and I got beat 5-2. I might have to try not to make a century in the first frame and provoke him this time!
“It goes without saying that he is a massive superstar in China. He is such a cool guy that he seems to take everything in his stride. That is the impressive thing. I always say hello to Ding, but I don’t know him. He is just a nice personality and relaxed. He appears to take all of the attention so calmly. I don't know if that actually is the case, as you never know what is going on inside of people’s heads. It looks like wherever he goes, hundreds of people want a piece of him. He deals with that very well.
“I’m looking forward to going to a new place. When I’ve been in bad places within myself I’ve not looked forward to the trips to China. I am in a good place and I’m really looking forward to it and to the occasion of playing Ding. I am going out there with a positive mindset. I know my game is good because I’ve been practising. I’ll go out there and try to win the match."
Do you feel at all under pressure knowing that you are in the second year of this spell on the circuit and tour survival is on the line?
“I’m aware of that. I cherish every season I spend on the tour now, that is the way I am. I’m 47 and I have a lot going on in my life. I don’t want to fully commit to being a seven hour a day practiser anymore. I don’t take being on tour for granted so I’m going to enjoy myself and not put myself under too much pressure regarding staying on. I want to stay on and I don’t want to retire. I’ve been through announcing retirement and coming back already. I feel I can compete with anyone on any given day. When that stops I hope I will be honest with myself."