JOE PERRY has confirmed his decision to retire from professional snooker after believing his “time is up” following a 33-year career.
Perry announced that the next week will be his last tournament on the main tour – if he makes it.
The beat Dylan Emery 10-6 at the English Institute of Sport on Thursday to reach the penultimate round of the qualifying competition.
Perry was already struggling for tour survival with his end-of-season ranking provisionally outside the crucial top 64 cut-off line.
With two more wins required to reach the Crucible, Perry is targeting the iconic venue as a fitting setting for his farewell.
The former world No.8 said: “I have officially retired. Now, I’m just trying to enjoy it.
“It’s not easy when you play as ropy as I do these days, but I’m trying my best.
“I will continue to play snooker, because I’m going to be in the World Seniors Championship, but my time as a professional player is up after this tournament.
“It’s alright, I was less nervous today than I was in the last two or three years coming here. There was a lot depending on it the last few years.
“The pressure is different. I know that if they get to nine, it’s potentially my last ever frame. But so be it.”;
The two-time ranking title winner was part of the Class of 92 along with,and Mark Williams.
He has been on the pro tour ever since and reachedfinal and the World Snooker Championship semi-finals.
Perry added that he's taken a long time to decide to call it quits after thinking about for the last 12 to 18 months.
The Gentleman said: “The aim is to reach the Crucible, I’m trying as hard as ever out there. If I can play my last match at the Crucible, wonderful.
“The boys are so good these days, the standard is so high. But all the time that I’m around, I’ve got a chance.”;
It comes after Perry said he is ready to quit after feeling “embarrassed” and
Perry, 50, beat fellow Class of 92 star Williams to win the 2015 Players Tour Championship Finals, and won the 2022 Welsh Open.
His only appearance in a Triple Crown event final was in 2017, when he lost 10-7 to O'Sullivan in the final of the Masters.
He was a commentator at this year's Welsh Open and he found it a more enjoyable experience than playing.
