Among the stars that took part in the recently concluded Indian Open snooker event was the 2015 World Champion Stuart Bingham.
The Englishman's career has followed a unique trajectory. He won the amateur world championship in 1996 but could break into the top-32 of world ranking as a professional only in the 2006-07 season before going on to become the World Champion two years ago.
Talking about the evolution of his career, Bingham accepted that he struggled initially after turning pro.
"Yes, it took me a while to find my feet on the world tour. A few things happened off the table that affected my career but once I got myself in the top-32, I had a couple of big wins that gave me the belief that I could do something in big tournaments. Things changed for the better in 2011," the 41-year old said while participating in the India Open held in Vishakhapatnam.
Bingham attributes the turnaround to a couple of factors.
"It was the result of a few things. Obviously, my game improved when the number of tournaments increased in the circuit. I also got married and had a baby. So, I was happy off the table as well. Things like that had a positive effect on my career," revealed the current World No 9.
Being a late bloomer has its advantages too, as Bingham enunciated: "Being older is one of the reasons why I am winning more matches these days. I remember when I first became pro, all I wanted to do is make high breaks but now I have got a safety game and you need that aspect of the game to win tournaments."
But the Englishman is as keen on achieving more success as anyone else.
"I am still hungry. I have had good success over the last 5-6 years and am still driven, I still enjoy practicing and playing the game. Travelling has become a bit harder. I have a young family and I miss them when I am away. But this is my job and I obviously enjoy it. I still play as much as I can," the player nicknamed 'Ball-run' said.
On the chances of winning the World Championship one more time, Bingham is hopeful but not desperate: "Hopefully. That would be brilliant. But if not, I have been lucky enough to get my hands on that trophy once and I'll be trying as hard as I can to win it one more time.
“But if it doesn't happen, at least I have done it once."
like many other players playing in the tournament, Bingham was also satisfied with the arrangements made by the organisers to negate the humidity factor for the players.
"Yes, you can feel the difference between the practice tables which were a little bit hard compared to the ones that we are playing the matches on. The room we are playing the matches in is very well controlled with the air-conditioning. It's very humid outside, I have rarely stepped out because it's too warm for my liking.
“The conditions inside the hall have been brilliant," explained the former world champion.
But it's not just this aspect of India that Bingham is enjoying. The food in India has also been to his liking. "I have enjoyed the food. I have been trying all the different foods. The Naan that I find here is completely different from the Naan we get in England. I enjoy the different types of food when I travel. Some players were moaning that the food is a bit too spicy but I enjoy it. Whichever place I go to, whether its China or Thailand, I always try the local food. I think if it's good enough for locals then its good enough for me. Some other players stick to western food but I like to go with the local food.
Bingham concluded by showing his appreciation for the local people also. “The Indian people have been brilliant.”