Snooker ace Davis sends strong lockdown message to government

The St. Leonards potter succumbed to a 4-1 third round defeat at the behind-closed-doors English Open as the World Snooker Tour continues to adapt to Covid-19 restrictions.

Davis, the current world No.40, slammed Boris Johnson’s handling of the crisis and says the economic damage of lockdown necessitates an easing of restrictions.

“From what I can see the virus is here to stay - it’s not going anywhere,” said the 48-year-old. “You can lock everything down for two weeks but what’s that going to do? That’s just going to delay things.

“That might be good for the hospitals but once it opens up again you’re just going to be back to square one in a couple of weeks. If it’s here to stay, then you think just get on with it and let everyone go about it. If we’re waiting for a vaccine, when will that be, if ever?

“Are we going to keep locking down every few months? There are enough businesses gone as it is. I’m not sure that’s the answer, personally. It’s difficult not having the fans in because the fans make the game, any game - football’s nothing without fans, simple as that.

“Countless matches I’ve watched and it’s still no better! You could show them for another ten years and they still wouldn’t be any better. You have to have the fans in watching and they’re never the same without it. I know they were going to gradually do it but they put that on hold. That would obviously be gradual and then build it up as you go. But when would you build it up, because the numbers aren’t going to change?”

Disillusioned Davis made a third-frame break of 52 against world No.3 Neil Robertson but visits of 119, 117, 77 and 50 from the 2010 world champion dashed the south coast player’s hopes of progression. It’s been a promising start to the 2020/21 season for Davis, however, who also reached the third round of the European Masters last month - before having to withdraw after his cue was stolen.

He continued his impressive early showing at the first Home Nations event of the season - but blasted his poorest performance for some time after losing in the last 32.

“It’s the worst I played for a while today,” he added. “I’ve never been the most consistent player in the world - even when I’m playing alright I’m going to throw a few dodgy performances in and that’s what I’ve always done.

“I haven’t played great here this week but in general I feel okay, so it’s just a case of practising hard and hopefully trying to be consistent this season."

Davis’ practice partner Jimmy Robertson also went out in the third round as he lost 4-1 against four-time world champion John Higgins. Bexhill-on-Sea’s Robertson, world No.26, made a third-frame break of 74 but visits of 54 and two 53s from the world No.7 ended Robertson's run in Milton Keynes.

Watch the snooker English Open live on Eurosport, Eurosport app and Quest