Snooker legend Jimmy White has insisted that his fierce rivalry with Steve Davis was fuelled by the media, not any real animosity. The 63-year-old said the pair have always held each other in high regard, despite their many battles on the baize during the 1980s.
White and Davis met in several major finals, including the 1984 World Championship, which Davis won. White went on to lose five more Crucible finals, but he maintains there was never any personal conflict. 'Steve Davis and I always respected each other. It was only the red tops that made us rivals,' White said after an exhibition match against Ken Doherty at the Midnite Lounge.
Davis reciprocated the sentiment in December 2024, hailing White's enduring ability. 'For Jimmy to be competing and beating some of the top players in the world on a weekly basis is just fantastic. Long may it continue,' he told Mirror Sport, describing White's performances in his sixties as 'amazing'.
The pair continue to work together, with White noting: 'We do exhibitions together, we travel in the same car. We’ve never had a problem with each other.' Their mutual respect remains evident, even as the rivalry that once captivated snooker fans fades into history.
