Former professional snooker star Joe Perry has claimed a 'special' victory at the Seniors British Open, just months after retiring from the main tour. The 51-year-old, known as 'The Gentleman', defeated snooker legend Jimmy White 7-5 in a thrilling final in Derby on Sunday, 28 December 2025.
A Triumph Without Practice
Remarkably, Perry arrived at the tournament having barely picked up a cue. "I'll be honest, I hardly play snooker at all now," Perry admitted to Metro. His club, Joe Perry’s Snooker and Pool Palace, was fully booked in the lead-up, leaving him no opportunity for practice. Despite this, he produced impressive performances to see off former world champion Stuart Bingham and Matthew Stevens en route to the final.
He acknowledged the conditions played a part, noting the pockets were "a little bit too generous," but was pleased with his overall standard of play. Facing Jimmy White in the final was the highlight. "Playing Jimmy was the cake... To play Jimmy in the final of a Seniors event, you can't really ask for much more than that," he said.
Why He Left the Professional Tour
Perry, a two-time ranking event winner and former world number eight, fell off the professional tour at the end of the 2024/25 season. He turned professional in 1992 alongside the 'Class of 92' including Ronnie O'Sullivan. However, the final years of his career became a grind.
"I did stop enjoying playing snooker," Perry revealed. "It just became very, very boring." He described the players' lounges as feeling like a doctor's waiting room, a stark contrast to the more vibrant atmosphere of his early career. The constant stress of ranking points and tour survival, coupled with the frequent travel to qualifying venues, drained his passion for the sport.
This feeling was exacerbated by his involvement in the lengthy investigation into match-fixing by Mark King, relating to their 2023 Welsh Open match. Perry believes the stress of that 20-month process accelerated his decision to retire.
A New Chapter: Coaching, Commentary, and Advocacy
Now, Perry has found a renewed enthusiasm for snooker in different roles. He is exclusively coaching long-time friend and world number three Neil Robertson, a partnership he finds immensely rewarding. "He's an incredible player, his work ethic is brilliant," Perry said, adding that he is learning from the Australian as well.
He has also taken up commentary work, facing the unique challenge of staying impartial when covering Robertson's matches. "I can honestly say, I had the same similar sort of nerves to when I was clearing up to win one of my ranking events," he said of watching his client play.
Furthermore, Perry has joined the players' board of the Professional Snooker Players’ Association (PSPA). He hopes the organisation can give players more of a voice without becoming overly political. Key issues he wants addressed include the structure of the tour calendar and the ranking points system, which he feels can be inconsistent.
The Joy of Seniors Snooker
Despite his success, Perry has no desire to return to the professional circuit. He plans to continue in the Seniors tour as long as he is invited, praising chairman Jason Francis for creating a fantastic environment.
"It's just how snooker used to be, for me," he explained. "The players' lounges are full of people that are happy to be there. They're not stressing about ranking points and losing their tour cards. It's a really nice environment."
The victory, his first Seniors title, resonated widely. A social media post from his club thanking supporters garnered over 100,000 views. "It spreads far and wide, this sort of thing," Perry noted, appreciating the accolades that reminded him "just how important these things are." For Joe Perry, winning still feels great, and snooker is fun again.
