China Ding back in the fame frame
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Ding's father's methods of training his son for a snooker career, including letting him quit regular school, have become the subject of dispute and been seen as gambling with the boy's future.
But the son will have none of it.
"I believed in my father," Ding said in defence of his dad's focus. "When we had no pennies in our pockets, I made a resolution to repay my family for all the sacrifices they made for me."
Ding Wenjun arranged almost everything for his young son up to selecting a management agent for him in 2005. During his performance slump, Ding Wenjun agreed with the manager that his son should enter college to study business administration.
"I like to read books about history and military. And now l also read some biz-related ones due to my studies in that field," Ding said. "From this major, which includes administration principles, I learned how to deal with things in life and in the game, which I found really helpful."
Ding's first class in Shanghai Jiao Tong University was lectured by Professor Wang Fanghua, dean of the university's Antai College of Economics and Management. Ding also picked up lessons on public relations and psychology.
"I like 'The Three Kingdoms' in which there are many wise characters, especially Zhuge Liang," he said.
"I recently just finished reading Jack Welch's 'Winning,' which not only includes the management of companies, but, to some extent, also helps the reader to face problems and get through difficulties."
"China Ding" has grown up during his form recession. He has silenced the critics and consigned any disputes to history, perfecting not only his talent on the green baize, but also enriching his life, fortifying his soul and improving his public image.
"When I was a boy, I had fun playing this sport, especially when the ball dropped into the hole. It gave me a great sense of accomplishment," he said.
"But now, after digging deeper, I found that snooker is a sport that makes you use your head and think hard. It helps you to have a broader view and teaches you to how to face difficulties and get through them."
As a result of his form reversal to the ultimate triumph at the end of 2009, the UK Championship netted him, according to some reports, °í144,525 (1.47 million yuan/US$216,270) for the season.
It was Ding's second UK and fourth ranking title, having previously won the 2005 China Open, the 2005 UK Championship and the 2006 Northern Ireland Trophy. For these titles, Ding defeated the four greatest players of the last 30 years: Stephen Hendry (Scotland), Steve Davis (England), O'Sullivan and now Higgins.
Ding is now resident in Britain where training and playing, badminton and basketball fill his life. But this college student said that he has already started to learn "money management." And during the school holidays, he helped his father manage their "Billiards City" business, although "control of money is still in my father's hands."
In January this year, Ding failed to sustain his success at the Wembley Masters Snooker titles and 2010 Welsh Open, but this time he did not get upset. There is still a very long road ahead for one who has had great success at a very young age.
Compared to the rankings, the titles and the scores, "China Ding's" personal growth makes his future even more promising.
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