Anxiety to win is killing my chances: Sitwala

Excerpts:
What led to your downfall at the final hurdle yet again?
It was not just another event. It was a very prestigious event and part of the English Billiards Open Series of the European Billiards and Snooker Association where many top stars including India’s Geet Sethi and Devendra Joshi were playing. Though I managed the best break of the tournament in the round robin stage,things did not go my way in the final against Martin Goodwill who is the current United Kingdom champion. Apart from that lots of other things affected my chances.

So what are those other factors?
We had flown to the comparatively cooler conditions of Belgium just days after playing in an Invitation Tournament in Bangalore where the temperature was around 32 degrees. It was also a very competitive tournament with the top eight players from the country including Geet Sethi and Pankaj Advani participating in it. When I reached Belgium the tournament had started and I suffered from a bad jet lag. Despite trying my best and reaching the finals,luck did not favour me but it’s a part of the game.

What is the reason for your recurring failure at the finals stage?
I think when I reach the finals; I’m too geared up to play. In fact I end up reaching the final because I’m playing well and beating one or two good players on the way. But there lies the problem. I think the anxiety to win the final is killing my chances.

How do you plan to overcome your anxiety?
What is essential is to keep the mind focused on what I’m doing on the table at that time and not allow my thoughts to stray and ponder over the possibilities of the outcome. It disturbs my action which in turn gets affected by the anxiety. The whole concept is to let the mind enjoy the action and be in the present. Take each game shot by shot. That is what I plan to do.

You have been making big breaks at many events over the last year or so. What is the challenge for achieving this consistency?
The challenge is to discipline your life style off the table. When you don’t rush things and are calm in daily life,you conserve energy which gets manifested when you are playing. You become too focused and your concentration level goes up. It helps you to be in control over your shots—then the next shot and then the next. A series of good shots enable you to reach the highest break.

How do you prepare for big breaks?
There is no fixed formula to achieve big breaks and if there was one then many international players would have scored at will. You have to keep applying what you have learned over the years along with your past experiences in different situations that you have faced. Also a lot depends upon your idea of making a big break which comes from homework which is very important. Had there been a formula for big breaks top players wouldn’t have stopped at less than 500 for each break.

How do you maintain a balance between aggression and defence in your sport?
See you have to judge yourself. If you have not been doing well in the last half or one hour than it is best to apply defensive tactics. You have to self retrospect about why you are not playing well. Basically your mind is not supporting your shot executions and at that time it is not correct to attack. In such a situation you tend to do wrong things. It is necessary under such circumstances to stop being a perfectionist because at that time nothing will favour you. So the best thing is to wait for the mind to cool down and get re-focused. And then once you start feeling better about your shots and get back your confidence,then you should go for attack.

Earlier this year,you displaced Geet Sethi to become the No 2 player in the country. How does it feel to upstage such a legend?

n As per the rankings I’m currently No 2 in the country after I won the Goa event. Even before,I had reach the national finals twice in 2003 (lost to Alok Kumar) and 2006 (lost to Devendra Joshi) but at that time there were no rankings and the position depended upon the performances in the nationals.

What does it take to become No 1?
The major thing is self belief and good homework. You need to spend a considerable amount of time on the table. Also you have to be physically very fit. Read action corrective books and lead a disciplined life.

How important is physical fitness in billiards?
I think it is of utmost importance that you should be physically fit. See when you are playing for four hours,you are actually walking for four hours. People tend to take billiards as a lazy game just because it is slow. Also for every shot you have to bend and for that you need a strong neck,good back and especially a solid lower back.

Who is your favourite player and why?
I have always idolised Geet Sethi for his concentration and handling of success that he has achieved over the years. I also admire Mike Russell. I feel he has been the best player in the world for the last 50 years. The kind of perfection he has displayed at different levels is matchless.

Why there are no new faces at the top level?
I strongly feel this game needs a decade of internship. It is not as easy as playing outdoor sports like cricket or tennis. In those sports you need at least two to three years of practice to become an average player but in billiards you need at least five to six years of practice to become an average player. Then once you reach the top level,you keep losing because you are up against top quality players for the first time.

Again it takes two to four years to learn from your seniors. So you need at least a decade to become a good quality player and that is precisely the reason why not many new faces are seen at the top. In today’s generation the youngsters are more inclined towards quick gratification and results. They are not ready to wait for years together. Billiards is exactly the opposite as it never gives quick and good results to you. It tests your patience. So unless you are ready to rub your nose on the grinding stone the results will not go your way.

Where do you see yourself 10 years down the line?
I have been playing for the last 12 years. I’m trying to be more disciplined and looking for more success. I am also trying to do more exercises to be physically fit and increase concentration level. The way I have been playing finals and the way I’m going about the game now,I should be enjoying more success ten years from now. With my employers ONGC giving me full support in my endeavor,I see no reason why I won’t be in a better stead compared to now.