Jimmy White's Candid Confession About Snooker Rival Steve Davis
Snooker icon Jimmy White has made a startling revelation about the peak of his fierce rivalry with fellow legend Steve Davis, admitting that Davis's demeanour left him contemplating using his cue as a weapon. The Whirlwind, known for his flamboyant style, disclosed this during a recent interview, shedding light on the psychological battles that defined their clashes in the 1980s.
The Intense On-Table Battles That Sparked White's Frustration
White and Davis, two of snooker's most celebrated figures, faced off repeatedly in major finals, including the World Championship in 1984 and the UK Championship in 1987. Davis, the dominant force of that era, typically emerged victorious in these high-stakes encounters, which contributed significantly to White's frustration. White famously lost all six of his World Championship finals, with four of those defeats coming against Stephen Hendry in the 1990s.
However, it was Davis rather than Hendry who provoked the strongest reaction from White. Speaking on TNT Sport's Snooker Breakdown last year with Ally McCoist, White explained, "I think with Davis, he had that smirk. You wanted to hit him across the head with the cue. But he was so good." Despite this visceral reaction, White emphasised his enormous respect for Davis, acknowledging his status as a six-time world champion.
Comparing the Greats: Hendry and O'Sullivan
In the same interview, White offered insights into other snooker greats, including his close friend Ronnie O'Sullivan and Stephen Hendry. He described Hendry as possessing exceptional "mettle and determination," while praising O'Sullivan for combining natural talent with elements borrowed from past champions to become an "ultra-winning machine."
White noted that both O'Sullivan and Hendry shared an ability to maintain intense focus during critical moments, treating high-pressure matches as if they were mere practice sessions. "I'd play Hendry, he'd have none of the crowd, but it didn't bother him. He was so focused," White recalled, highlighting the mental fortitude required at the sport's highest level.
Contrasting Personalities and a Healthy Rivalry
Off the table, Davis and White were polar opposites. Davis earned a reputation for being methodical and somewhat "boring" compared to contemporaries like White, who was famed for his excessive lifestyle and partying habits. Reflecting on their dynamic, White said on the Snooker Break podcast, "I quite liked it, me and Steve Davis. I was sort of wasting my time partying and he was practising, so I never had any problems with Steve."
He described their rivalry as lasting five or six years and considered it "quite healthy for the game," acknowledging that facing Davis always meant preparing for a gruelling contest. "But you knew, if you were playing Steve Davis, you were going to be in a war," White added, underscoring the competitive spirit that drove both players.
Current Roles and Tournament Outlook
Both legends remain involved in snooker, with Davis set to serve as a pundit for the BBC and White for TNT Sports at the upcoming 2026 World Championship. White, now 63 and still competing on the World Snooker Tour, had hoped to participate as a player but was defeated in the opening round of qualifying by Gao Yang.
The tournament commences on Saturday morning, with Zhao Xintong defending his title as China's first world champion. Ronnie O'Sullivan begins his quest for a record-breaking eighth world title on Tuesday, adding another chapter to the sport's rich history of rivalries and achievements.
