Paul Hunter's ranking frozen

[The Statman]

I understand that Paul's ranking has indeed been frozen at 34th until such time that he is fit to return to the circuit.

Seems to me there are two sided to this – the emotive one, which we are naturally inclined towards, which says 'why not?' – and the procedural one which says that all players must be treated equally come what may.

I think I am unsure where exactly I stand on it.

Discuss.

PS I read this on Snooker Scene's blog, which I am now unable to find! If I could find it I woudl of course provide a link to it, particularly since it has an piece on my stats book!

[Robert602]

I think the blog you're looking for Statman is this one:
http://snookerscene.blogspot.com/
This is the link you posted on the BBC boards, although I can't see that it says that the WSA have made their minds up yet.

I'd draft the following as a WSA rule:

A player may opt, given sufficient medical reason, to temporarily resign their place on the tour. They may then, when they feel fit and within three(?) seasons, resume competitive play and assume their most recently held official ranking.

The problem I feel is that once a player drops down the rankings through taking time off, even if they get back to full health it takes them a number of years to get back a ranking representative of their ability. That's a necessary part of turning professional, but it's not necessary to inflict it twice in a player's career.

Rankings should be a cold reflection of sporting ability, but the fact is if and when Paul comes back into the game after time off then his ability is going to be unknown, and his ranking probably isn't going to be accurate whether it's 34th or 300th. The two simple solutions are to a) give him back the ranking he had before he left, or b) let him start from scratch. I'd propose the former is going to be fairer on Hunter and a fairer reflection of the truth.

[The Statman]

I think Lindea is about to post on this thread...

(She'll be amazed when she sees this when she posts)

[Lindea]

[MattWilson]

Paul has done his best to play through the pain barrier, of which those of us who are lucky enough to not have experienced any chemo will be unaware, and he has been very brave indeed. I think the least World Snooker can do for such a great player and professional, as well as a great fella, is freeze his ranking from this year, so that he can make a full recovery from his illness without having to worry about making a living outside snooker when he returns to full health.

The man is a real ambassador for the sport and the powers that be should re-pay him with a frozen ranking until at least this time next season.

MW

[PaulTheSoave]

Whats that trophy doing there?

[Robert602]

Paul has done his best to play through the pain barrier, of which those of us who are lucky enough to not have experienced any chemo will be unaware, and he has been very brave indeed. I think the least World Snooker can do for such a great player and professional, as well as a great fella, is freeze his ranking from this year, so that he can make a full recovery from his illness without having to worry about making a living outside snooker when he returns to full health.

The man is a real ambassador for the sport and the powers that be should re-pay him with a frozen ranking until at least this time next season.

MW

I agree, but I think it's opening a can of worms if the WSA is to make their judgement based on how nice a fella Paul is or how deserving he is of a favour.

I don't think the decision should be made with Paul in mind in particular, rather they should consider how best to deal with any player finding themselves in Paul's situation in future, however well liked they are and however good they may be.

[JohnDDD]

I think it's pretty ridicilous,
I would say creating a better wildcard system would be a lot wiser
or make this a rule that a player can take ONE season off for WHATEVER reason and keep his place on the rankings

[PaulTheSoave]

i think exceptions should be made, whoever the player is. A bit of humanity is already scarce these days, so lets keep it in snooker.

[Mitsuko]

I'd say no. Jimmy White is playing well in practise why not freeze his ranking (I know it's completely different!). But how long will it be frozen for?

[The Statman]

I agree, but I think it's opening a can of worms if the WSA is to make their judgement based on how nice a fella Paul is or how deserving he is of a favour.

I don't think the decision should be made with Paul in mind in particular, rather they should consider how best to deal with any player finding themselves in Paul's situation in future, however well liked they are and however good they may be.

The problem is that, however impersonal you try to be, with the best will in the world you will be thinking of Paul Hunter when making a decision, because it is he who is currently affected.

You could only look at it entirely objectively at a time when no player is in such a situation.

In the meantime you have to consider Paul if he's asked for consideration.

[Robert602]

Fair point, unfortunately all the WSA can do is try to be impersonal. Paul has asked them to make a decision on his case as you say, but whichever way they decide they're inevitably going to set a precedent that they'll be under pressure to adhere to in future cases.

Paul's put them on the spot by publically making the request, they'll effectively be making a general ruling whether they want to or not, and that calls for some attempt at objectivity.

That is assuming that this is the first time this has happened? I'm not aware that a player has ever asked for his ranking to be frozen for medical leave before, although it's possible it's been done privately in the past.

Unfortunately I feel with the WSA it'll be about public relations vs simplicity of implementation. Hopefully I'm wrong.

[JohnDDD]

Fantasy news message, if Quinten Hann were still playing;


WSA say "no" to Hann; ranking of Australian not frozen despite illness
WSA have ruled that Quinten Hann's ranking will not be frozen next season despite his serious illness. Hann currently suffers from cancer and is unable to resume play next season due to his chemotherapy treatments.

Hann specifically requested that his ranking be frozen because just three years ago Paul Hunter's ranking was frozen when the Englishman suffered from colon cancer and was therefore unable to play snooker. Hunter made a full recovery and was able to regain his high position in the rankings due to his ranking having been frozen.

The WSA have explained that this time around mister Hann does not get his ranking frozen because "he is a troublemaker and we don't like him". The WSA adds that they "do wish him a speedy recovery, but hopefully after long enough time to kick him off the tour for good." Hann has responded that he will sue the WSA and demands a fair treatment.

[Robert602]

There really ought to be a < laugh > smiley on this forum.

You've illustrated my point nicely John, obviously that's a situation to be avoided.