How are you doing so far this season?
I have had a decent start - I qualified for the Wuxi Classic and beat Graeme Dott 5-0 then lost in the last 32. And I won a few matches in the European Tour event in Rotterdam. I feel as if I am making forward steps in my career, although very slow ones.
Has it been frustrating that things haven't happened more quickly for you?
Yes it has, although you have to take things as they come in this game. At least now with the flat draws I only have to win one match to qualify for most venues, which is a big difference.
Is it difficult living on the South coast without many other players nearby?
It's a nightmare. I'm virtually in the middle of nowhere and any venue in England is going to be a long way to drive. And it's a long way to go for matches with other players. The only piece of luck is that Mark Davis is down here as well so at least there are two of us. It's amazing what he has done over the past three years and that shows me that I can have a long time ahead of me in the game as I'm only 27 and he's past 40. He practises at the club I own - O'Sullivan's in Bexhill. He has his own set of keys and often comes in early to practise. I should charge him for the table light really because I have to put up with his whinging.
You're going to become a dad soon, how do you think that will affect your snooker?
Yes my girlfriend Haley is 24 weeks pregnant with our first baby. We found out at 16 weeks that it's a boy and we've got a few possible names already, either Teddy, Franky or Freddy. It's hard to say how it will affect me, it could make me more focussed and determined, or the sleepless nights could make it tougher. I'm just excited about it anyway.
