The recent Indian Cue Masters League featured abbreviated matches with fast-paced action. Is this the way forward?
It’s a good start. It is quite entertaining for television viewers and the hall audience. People’s attention span is short now – they want quick results, drama and unpredictability. So leagues like this will be popular with laypersons and enthusiasts alike. I suppose it is a sign of the times that we live in.
Do the traditional forms of snooker and billiards need a shake-up?
I think that best-of-nine frame, six-red snooker is the future, as opposed to the traditional 15-red snooker that we play now. Six-red is best suited to the demands of television, and showcases spectacular action. Players are fine with moving to a shorter format, as long as it is not a lottery which makes a mockery of the game.
You had a stint on the glamorous, yet incredibly tough, pro snooker circuit in England. Tell us about some your interactions with the big guns
I thanked [four-time world champion] John Higgins, as I had learnt a lot from him. He replied, ‘No no, hang on. I have learnt a lot from you too’. He has achieved so much, yet he was so humble and classy. His compliment reinforced my belief in my game. Even guys like Ricky Walden and Michael White complimented my safety game. Having said that, I realised that being on the pro snooker tour was not for me. This was due to two reasons – I missed home, and I could not find the time to play billiards. Pro snooker is not the be all and end all of cue sports.
Having won multiple international titles in snooker and billiards, what is left to achieve? What keeps you motivated?
The motivation is simple – I love the game. Getting on the green baize is sheer joy to me. This is the only thing that I am pretty good at. I want to constantly improve myself – not in terms of records, titles or proving to people that I am not a flash in the pan. I have already proved this by winning over and over again.
What are some of the misconceptions people associate with cue sports?
There are two misconceptions – the first is that we gamble, and the second is that this is an elite sport. We know which sports actually attract a lot of betting and gambling. In fact, I know of a lot of people who are ruining their lives by betting on
matches. As for elite sports, take a look at badminton or tennis – the amount of money you need for equipment and training is humongous. In cue sports, you can see several players from the middle-class. It is not elite at all.
During matches, your opponents have often left the hall to smoke a cigarette or take a breather when you are racking up the points. Does this sort of behaviour bother you?
Over the years, I’ve realised that life is not just about winning. It is more important to be a good ambassador of the sport, and to conduct yourself well. I feel okay if I lose a match, as long as I’ve played in the correct spirit. I’ve never disrespected the game or an opponent. I respect every opponent, even if I’m up against someone who is picking up a cue for the very first time. Apart from guys taking unnecessary breaks, I’ve also seen players bang their cues in frustration when they miss. I’ve never, ever done that. What goes around comes around. We compete in a classy sport, and I take pride in it.
What are your earliest memories of playing snooker/billiards?
When I was a kid, I followed my brother Shree to a snooker parlour. The very first pot I attempted went in. It was a long pot on a pool table. I was shocked when it went in. I knew I had something in me, but I never thought that I would end up as a multiple world champion. I started playing snooker in 1996, and entered a handicap tournament at KSBA [Karnataka State Billiards Association]. In the final, I defeated Shree. That was my first ever tournament victory, but it evoked mixed emotions.
After the match, a senior reporter asked me about my ambitions. I said that I wanted to become a businessman. After a pause, I added that I also wanted to be a world champion some day. I read that interview recently, and I was shocked that I mentioned the world champion bit so innocently. At the time, I obviously did not understand what it took. In the years that followed, I tasted a few big defeats in the Senior Nationals. I realised then that my path was not going to be easy.
Do you enjoy being recognised in public?
It feels great when someone asks for a photo, or says that they are proud of you. I’m usually very patient with their requests – even if 20 people want a photo, I will oblige. The first time I was recognised in public was in 2003, when I won my first world title. My friends and I were at ‘Aromas of China’. I got up from my chair and shook their hands one by one. It was a wonderful feeling. It boils down to representing your sport with dignity, which I take very seriously. People judge your sport based on your behaviour.
What about marriage? What do you look for in a partner?
I’m married to my game. I’ve won a lot of titles, but not a girl’s heart. I am ready for marriage. I’m 32, so I ought to be ready. I have a good career, a lovely family, and I’m fairly mature now. I need to sort out a few things, after which I’m open to settling down. As for the ideal partner, I’d like to find someone who understands that cue
sports will always be my priority. Looks do matter, but only to a certain extent. I’ve never been attracted to the stunners who dress well – the so-called hotties. For me, it is about the spark. Have a little bit of banter, perhaps start with a love-hate relationship in the initial stages, which turns into something meaningful later.
What do you like to do outside of cue sports?
I can watch movies and listen to music for hours. I also love to dance. I have a certain rhythm and flair for dancing. I’m fairly good at freestyle, break dance, pop and lock. I’m a huge Michael Jackson and Chris Brown fan. I’ve been invited on a few dance reality shows, but I haven’t had the time to accept the invitations. I would love to be part of a dance show in the near future. I like to go out with my friends. I’m a teetotaller, but I’m open to going to pubs because most of my friends drink. I am non-judgemental of people who drink, as long as it does not go over the limit and I have to carry them home. Either way, I’m always the designated driver.
The Advani File
Favourite food
* Anything with paneer. People don’t like to eat with me, because I always finish the paneer pieces and leave only the gravy
* Italian when travelling
Favourite holiday destinations
* Bali (Indonesia)
* Sharm El Sheikh (Egypt)
* Baga (Goa)
Favourite movies
* Kuch Kuch Hota Hai – Karan Johar’s best
* Taare Zameen Par
* Three Idiots
* Dangal – Best Indian sports film ever
* I’m a huge Christopher Nolan fan. I love the Batman trilogy, especially The Dark Knight Rises
Favourite actors
* Aamir Khan – Outstanding method actor
* Akshay Kumar – Best entertainer in India
* Christian Bale
* Anne Hathaway
* Priyanka Chopra – Sassy, bold, speaks her mind
Favourite cue sports player
* My coach Arvind Savur. He is my father, philosopher and guide
* Ronnie O’Sullivan – Brilliant shot-maker. I know him quite well. He wanted to come to India for a few exhibitions. The idea was that we would play each other in billiards and snooker matches
Favourite sportsperson, outside of cue sports
* Foreign: Roger Federer – Elegant, smooth, humble, articulate. Just perfect
* Indian: Major Dhyan Chand – the best Indian sportsperson in history