Ireland's 1997 World Champion Ken Doherty admits that he could be entering his last two seasons on the World Snooker Tour, but is determined to up his work rate and make the most of the time he has left as a professional.
The Darling of Dublin was offered an invitational tour card for the 24/25 and 25/26 seasons earlier this week, which he accepted. However, having only won seven matches last season he has said that if his form doesn't improve he intends to hang up his cue.
“I’m grateful to have received the tour card. I still enjoy playing and I appreciate getting the chance to play on for another couple of years. Hopefully I can get my head down and put some more work in. I don’t think I will continue after the two years, unless there is dramatic improvement, these will be my last two seasons. I'm going to work hard and really enjoy it."
Ken Doherty
Six-time Ranking Event Winner
"I think it is just about seeing how results go and seeing how performances go. There is no point in playing if I'm not going to get any results. It is like banging your head against a brick wall. It is about the time I spend practising. I need to put a bit more time into it and try to give myself an opportunity. If it doesn't happen then I am thankful for my time as a professional," added 54-year-old Doherty.
"It is quite difficult to get the time with the TV work, but I love doing the punditry. I enjoy it a lot. You have to find the time. There are a lot of guys on the tour that aren't that much younger than me and they are doing really well. It is up to me to find the time. I then need to have the confidence to take the form from the practice table to the match table. I'll work harder and enjoy these last couple of seasons. It will be a busy two years. I love being around the snooker and I love talking about it. The sport has been great to me and given me a good life."
Doherty has enjoyed a storied career, but a lack of appearances in final stages of events last season proved to be frustrating for him. The six-time ranking event winner admits he still gets just as pumped up competing in the big arenas though and is targetting some deep runs over the course of the next two campaigns.
"I still get the buzz and I still love it just as much. It is hard to get that buzz when you are in the qualifiers though. It is only when you get to the arena, with the crowd. I love the competitive edge to the game. I still get a rush from playing. Unfortunately I haven't got to that many final stages recently. I played Ronnie a couple of times in China and that was great. Hopefully I can qualify for a few more events and play in front of the crowds.
"It would be nice to get back to the Crucible. If it happens it happens and if it doesn't, then I have a lot of great memories from the Crucible. I still love coming out into the Crucible and it is such a buzz and such a great place. It would be great to walk out there one last time."
Looking back on his career, Doherty has relished competing in a time which has allowed him to take on and conquer some of the sport's greats. The clear highlight was beating Stephen Hendry 18-12 in the 1997 world final, but many other matches stand out.
Doherty recalled: "I'll have great memories of Goffs and the Crucible. The Paul Hunter semi-final at the 2003 World Championship was amazing (Doherty won 17-16 from 15-9 down). I've had brilliant battles with Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins, Mark Williams, Jimmy White and Steve Davis. I've had a lot of losses, but I've managed to beat all of those guys a few times. To play in so many finals has been amazing. Meeting some of the greats of the game, in the biggest matches, are memories which will live with me forever.
"I was in a really good era with some of the finest ever players. It was a tough time, but I loved every minute. To pit my wits against those guys was great. I beat Stephen Hendry in the World Championship final and that is very special. He was going for six in a row, which is quite incredible. I got to parade the trophy at Old Trafford, Croke Park, Lansdowne Road and Celtic Park. It was a dream come true and my year as World Champion was wonderful."