By World Snooker Tour

Louis Heathcote

Louis Heathcote has teamed up with former German Masters champion Anthony Hamilton and is hoping to continue a successful start to the new World Snooker Tour season. 

The Leicester cueman scored an impressive 5-2 win over world number 20 Wu Yize to qualify for the Wuhan Open on Sunday and now faces Northern Irishman Jordan Brown in British Open qualifying tomorrow. 

Heathcote has turned to Hamilton, who recently retired and moved into coaching, to assist his bid to move up the Johnstone's Paint World Rankings. He begins this season with no points, after retaining his tour card via his performance on the Johnstone's Paint One Year list last season. Heathcote is targetting a place in the Players Series this season. You must be in the top 32 money earners of the season to get a place in the series opening World Grand Prix in Hong Kong next February.

We've caught up with Heathcote to hear about his win over Wu and look ahead to the season...

It was a brilliant win to start the season, how much confidence has that given you?

“It was a massive win. I felt really sharp and really strong, considering it was the first game of the season. I thought I controlled the game really well and to do that against someone like Wu Yize, considering how good he is, shows something. I’m happy to get off to a good start. I don’t really get many wins like that. I tend to beat people around me or below me and then I seem to fall short. It was a really good confidence booster to get a win like that.

“The draw put me into two tough matches, firstly with Wu and then Jordan Brown on Wednesday in the British Open qualifiers. It could have been a lot easier but to get a good win like that and qualify for China is so important. It is great to feel good and have a bit of momentum. If you lose the first game then you start looking for where the first win is going to come from and you are panicking. That first victory is really important and I’m looking forward to my second game against Jordan on Wednesday."

You made the quarter-finals of the Northern Ireland Open last season. How determined are you to feature at the business end of tournaments more regularly this season?

“Now we get the chance to go to Hong Kong and things like that, getting in this Players Series is massive. That is a big target of mine. If you can get yourself in those events it really adds to your season. If you don’t qualify you can have a lot of gaps at the end of the season and it is hard to get sharp for the World Championship. It has been a goal of mine the last couple of years and it hasn’t happened. I want to try and do it this time. It could lead to really big things.

“We are all fighting to get into these big match situations. That run to the quarters came at a good time for me. I was losing a bit of self belief and I’d never really done much on tour. I was down on myself and to play in front of a packed crowd like that at such a great venue, it really does spur you on. I’m hoping for a few more occasions like that this season. I’ve been here before saying that, but if I quietly go about my business I hope that I can do it. I’ve changed a few things off the table and I’m trying to be a bit more professional. I want to give myself the best possible chance to succeed."

What is it that you are doing away from the table?

“I’m eating a lot better, cutting out processed foods and getting in the gym a bit more. We got a little puppy in the off season and I’m in the routine of taking him out for walks every morning. I’m just trying to be a bit more active and lose a bit of weight. I’ve been working with Chris O’Connor with Eccleston Hypnotherapy, who worked with Kyren Wilson as well. I’ve also partnered up with Anthony Hamilton who is going to be my mentor. I’ve been working with Taylor Wilson as well and he’s helping me with things like the sponsors and getting the hypnotherapy. I’m putting the pieces together off the table.

How much do you think you will benefit from Anthony's extensive experience of competing on the tour?

“His knowledge and experience is priceless. To be able to work up close and personal with someone like that is amazing. He knows my game really well because we practised together last season. He’s a really nice guy and we have a good connection. I’m looking forward to it and excited for the season with him. Having him in my corner is great. He knows the right shots, at the right times and the values of them. He will be able to look at each situation and see what other things I could have done. Anything I can learn from him will add to my game and I know that for a fact.”

You recently bought a house for the first time. How have you found it so far?

“Yeah we’ve gone all in with the house and the puppy. We moved in on December 23rd and got the puppy in April time. It has been great. The new builds are like blank canvasses, so I’ve left all of that to my girlfriend! She’s good with all of that and has done a great job. It has felt more of a home.

“It was so scary beforehand. We were getting the house around the time of my run to the quarters in Belfast. That calmed me down a bit and I knew I could afford the mortgage for a few months. It is a daunting thing but once you are in there it isn’t too bad. Taking the leap was a good thing and we have a really nice home with a lovely little dog now. We are both really happy. It is nice to come home to that after tournaments.”