New Delhi, Oct 30:
India’s cue sports legend Pankaj Advani has credited tennis star Novak Djokovic’s remarkable consistency and longevity as a major source of inspiration after winning his 29th world title at the WBL World Billiards Championship in Birmingham.
The 41-year-old said Djokovic’s ability to remain competitive at the highest level for nearly two decades had motivated him to keep pushing his own limits. Advani, who won the billiards crown after a gap of two years, said the tennis great represented the kind of consistency every sportsperson should strive for.
“Djokovic is the epitome of consistency,” Advani said, pointing to the Serbian’s continued presence in the latter stages of major tournaments despite competing against players much younger than him. He also acknowledged the illustrious careers of Djokovic and Roger Federer, saying sustained success depends on both hard work and smart preparation.
Advani said his latest title was particularly special as the tournament featured several former world champions and players in strong form. His route to the crown included victories over established opponents such as compatriot Sourav Kothari, David Causier and Robert Hall. He identified his pre-quarterfinal against Ireland’s Christian Kirk as his toughest match, saying the close contest served as a wake-up call to raise his level.
The Indian said he had worked harder than usual to prepare for the championship, practising billiards for four to five hours daily over the month preceding the event. He had played relatively little billiards during the previous two years and had to adjust his preparation to meet the demands of the discipline.
Advani explained that billiards and snooker, though played on the same table, require different approaches. Billiards demands prolonged concentration and stamina, while he has been playing more snooker over the past couple of years. He said he had also worked on his physical and mental fitness during the last year.
He credited his coach Arvind Savur and elder brother Shree Advani, who is a sports psychologist, for continuing to push him to improve. Reflecting on a career spanning more than two decades, Advani said it had included difficult periods, bitter defeats and unexpected victories.
He also called for greater recognition of athletes from disciplines beyond cricket, saying sporting careers marked by consistency over five, 10 or 15 years deserved to be celebrated.