Calcutta: Pankaj Advani, who recently won his 17th world title (in Doha), spoke to The Telegraph from the Qatar capital.
Advani had been only 18 when he won his first world title. He's 32 now.
Still in Doha, Advani is currently participating in the IBSF World Snooker Championship. On Saturday, he moved into the pre-quarters.
Q Seventeen world titles... Are you out to better Roger Federer's Grand Slam tally of 19?
A (Laughs) It's just wonderful to have won another world title, the more laurels I get for the country the more satisfied I will be... Federer, of course, has been an idol. He looks to improve all the time and I have much the same attitude... I'd been aware that I needed to up my intensity against Mike Russell in the IBSF World Billiards Championship final. He is, after all, one of the greatest of billiards players. I did get things right.
Q Your first world title had been way back in 2003 (IBSF World Snooker in Jiangmen). What keeps driving you? Also, one is curious how you approach finals?
A Deep down, there's a love for challenges... There's joy in excelling, there's joy in fulfilling one's potential... The joy one gets at a job well done is certainly a driving force... As for the approach, having played so many championship finals, it's about announcing one's presence on the big stage. I stay in the present and don't think about the future. It's best not to make any final very big in your head. That's what I've learnt from Shree, my elder brother, who is a sports psychologist.
Q Handling pressure...
A Try and let the pressure pass. The normal way of dealing with it is to say it isn't a big deal. One could even try reverse psychology: What's the worst that can happen? At the end of the day, it's about replicating what you've mastered during practice... As you know, I'm not regarded a conventional player. Well, I'm comfortable with my style, comfortable in my space.
Q Is there a next level for the holder of 17 world titles?
A I haven't specialised, so I'm into both professional billiards and snooker. That in itself is challenging. Having to adapt, having to move from billiards to snooker and the different formats is a challenge. But, as they say, variety is the spice of life... I did spend two years in England, focusing exclusively on snooker, but it got very, very lonely. Then, sponsors and funding was an issue. I'm happier now that I've been back in Bangalore for some time... As challenges are always there, overcoming the next one would be like reaching the next level.
Q Your disciplines require lengthy periods of concentration. What's the secret and what exactly is the in-the-zone feeling?
A Experience has taught me a lot. I'm a rhythm player and once I've struck my rhythm, everything else comes easy... Look, one cannot always be in that in-the-zone frame of mind. There are times when you don't know what you're doing, but you still do the right things. Certain things just happen on their own. That, perhaps, has much to do with one's state of mind.
Q The last one... Away from home for long periods... How do you relax?
A Nowadays, I pick and choose tournaments. Recently, I took a two-month break and attended a family wedding in New Zealand and an awards function in Dubai. The break helped me recharge myself, so to say. Bottom line is that I'm a sportsman and sport has shaped the way I am as an individual. I've learnt to be humble, learnt to be gracious. The grounding at home has also come in very handy... No journey is rosy, which is why victories taste sweet. That's the beauty of one's journey, in sport or whatever the chosen field of an individual.
