Ding may be out, but China Open legacy he helped build endures

Two decades on the professional circuit have also changed how Ding sees the game itself. Relying on a single technical strength, he noted, is no longer enough to stand out in today’s arena; well-rounded, balanced skills define top-tier players.

“Every player has a distinct playing style,” he explained. “You can’t just lean on your strengths in a match, or your opponent will easily exploit even the smallest weaknesses.

“The vast majority of players polish all aspects of their game ... making it hard to detect any obvious stylistic leanings,” he added.

“All top players have highly comprehensive skills; you can’t go far on the pro tour with only one advantage.”

It is a sport, he suggested, where even the smallest margins carry the greatest weight. “For top professionals, even a one percent improvement in consistency and competitive ability can bring enormous change.

“Snooker is different from rally-based sports, like table tennis and badminton. Once an opponent gets in and scores continuously, you have no chance to interrupt their run — you can only sit in your chair and watch them build their break,” he added.

It is a spectacle Ding hopes fans will learn to read more deeply.

“I hope fans don’t just watch for the excitement. I want them to truly enjoy and understand snooker, to grasp the tactical battles on the table,” he said.

“Even if you don’t play the sport yourself, understanding the overall match flow and the offensive and defensive thinking behind each shot will make the viewing experience much richer.”

If Ding speaks with the perspective of an elder statesman, it is because his own journey has been anything but smooth.

“My form has always fluctuated a lot throughout my career. I haven’t been able to maintain a steady level all year round like some players. For all these years, I’ve tried to stabilize my form, but the results have never been ideal,” Ding said.

He has repeatedly dismissed retirement rumors, and insists that his dream of winning the World Championship remains intact.

“Even now, with obvious ups and downs in my form, I still stick to daily training,” he said. “I can only rely on extensive practice to ground myself.”

Among those who watched Chinese snooker rise alongside him is Neil Robertson, the Australian who won the last China Open in 2019. He and Ding came up together in an era when the sport looked very different.

“Back then, the sport was totally dominated by British players,” Robertson said. “I think Ding and I together inspired a lot of overseas players.

“That is why we are so grateful for this tournament, for it ignited the flourishing development of snooker in China,” he said.

On Monday afternoon, that flourishing was on full display, even as its catalyst watched from the sidelines.

Robertson defeated the young Chinese player Chang Bingyu 6-3, while Si swept Jiang Jun 6-0, sending both through to the last 16, where they will meet in a direct contest on Thursday. It will be a clash between two generations of the sport, and between the tradition Ding helped break open and the one he inspired.

Chen Shuo contributed to this story.