Scott Donaldson cut an emotional figure in his post-match interview after he was knocked out of the UK Snooker Championship.
The 31-year-old Scot has impressed at the York Barbican this week but lost in a last-frame decider in his last-16 tie against former world No.1 Ding Junhui on Thursday night.
Having fought back from 3-0 and 5-3 down to level at 5-5, it felt as though the momentum was with Donaldson heading into the final frame in a first-to-six, and he took control with a quick 22 break.
However, Ding, a three-time UK Champion, ended up showing his class in the end, with the Chinese star reeling off a 109 break – his second century of the match – to book his spot in the quarter-final.
For Donaldson, it has been an emotional tournament. Indeed, it’s his first triple crown event since his father, Hector, sadly passed away in October. The Perth cuesman has been walking out to David Gray song Babylon before each match in a tribute to his late dad.
Speaking after his defeat to Ding, Donaldson outlined how his father would be feeling right now. “I think when everyone sees what I have been through, everyone goes through that in their life at some point and they can all relate to it,” he told TNT Sports when asked about the support of the crowd.
“I am lucky I can play snooker to show it in a way. I am very fortunate to do what I do and the whole experience was very emotional. But I think my dad would have said, ‘well done son, you’ve done yourself proud’.”
Donaldson then appeared to fight back the tears when the TNT reporter mentioned Hector and how his performance in York was inspired back his late father.
Attempting to regain his composure, he said: “Don’t start,” after Hector was named in the interview.
After the game, Ding showed a moment of class as he embraced Donaldson and gave him a big hug. It was that – and his brilliance on the table – which prompted Donaldson to admit he is hoping Ding wins the whole tournament.
“He is probably the nicest guy on the tour but ruthless on the table,” he said of Ding. “I hope he goes and wins it now. That long red he potted at the end was probably the best shot I have ever had against me. Full credit to him.”
Donaldson managed to beat Anthony McGill and Ross Muir to reach the UK Championship, and he had progressed past Stuart Bingham and Mark Allen to face Ding in the last 16.
“My game has been good for quite a while now,” he admitted. “I know I have flaws in my game but if I can manage them I am a much better player for it by playing my own game totally natural. That is what I’m going to do moving forward.”