Steve Davis English professional snooker player. Date of Birth: 22.08.1957 Country: Great Britain

1. Steve Davis Biography
2. Early Life and Career
3. Domination in the 1980s
4. Later Career and Achievements
5. Comeback and Endurance

Steve Davis Biography

Steve Davis is an English professional snooker player. Born on August 22, 1957, in Plumstead, London, Davis has won more titles than anyone else in the history of snooker, winning 73 finals out of 100.

Early Life and Career

Although Davis started playing snooker at the age of 12, he did not show exceptional results as an amateur. However, he won the national championship among players under 19 in 1976. It was during this time that Davis was noticed by businessman Barry Hearn, who signed him to a contract. Davis' father, Bill, was not a talented player, but Steve made up for his lack of natural talent with unparalleled determination to win and a hatred of defeat.

Under Hearn's guidance, Davis' game improved as he played against professionals in Hearn's club, which later became widely known as "Matchroom." In 1978, Davis won his last non-professional tournament, the Pontins Open. The following year, in his first professional season, he made it to the World Championship.

Domination in the 1980s

The season of 1980/81 marked the beginning of Steve Davis' era. He won several tournaments, including the Wilson's Classic, the British Championship, the English Professional, and the Yamaha Masters. In the World Championship final in Sheffield, he defeated Doug Mountjoy to win his first world title. In the following season, Davis won seven more tournaments, including the Masters and the British Championship for the second time. He also achieved his first televised maximum break against John Spencer during the Lada Classic.

Davis continued to dominate the world of snooker throughout the 1980s. He won a total of six world championships and fifteen other ranking tournaments out of 36 held during that period. Combined with his eight victories in major tournaments, which later gained ranking status, Davis demonstrated his overwhelming superiority over other players. His dominance was only challenged when Stephen Hendry emerged as a formidable opponent.

Later Career and Achievements

Despite setbacks, Davis remained a prominent figure in snooker. He continued to win ranking tournaments, contributing to the popularization of snooker in new countries, particularly in the Far East. By this time, Davis became the first snooker millionaire with all the trappings of success. However, in the 1990s, a young man from Scotland, who was expected to dominate the sport, emerged.

Nevertheless, Davis proved that his career was far from over. In the following years, he won four more ranking tournaments and remained a formidable player. His game became more composed, but it took a confident opponent to write him off. Despite not being ranked in the top 16 in the 1999/2000 season, Davis continued to enjoy playing the game and set a new goal of returning to the top 16.

In the 2001/02 season, Davis failed to advance past the first round of any ranking tournament, resulting in a sharp decline in his ranking to 25th place. However, he reached the milestone of earning over £5 million in prize money during his career.

Comeback and Endurance

The following season saw a resurgence in Davis' form. He reached the last 16 of every ranking tournament and made it to the semi-finals of the LG Cup. These successes guaranteed his return to the top 16 after a three-year absence.

In the 2003/04 season, Davis reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship, making a remarkable comeback in a match against Michael Holt. However, he was eventually defeated by Shaun Murphy. Davis continued to demonstrate his resilience in the following seasons, reaching the final of the UK Championship and achieving significant results in other tournaments.

Despite facing setbacks and strong competition, Davis remained a determined and formidable player. His career achievements, both on and off the table, have earned him recognition and accolades. In 1989, he was awarded the title of MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire), followed by the title of OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) in 2001.

Currently, Davis hosts his own weekly television show and is one of the most popular and beloved commentators for snooker on the BBC. He continues to inspire fans with his talent, perseverance, and love for the game.