Doherty glad to be back

Doherty: New lease of life

I've still got a long way to go yet, and I'm not back to where I'd like to be, but I'm slowly getting there.

Ken Doherty on the way back
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Ken Doherty believes dropping out of the top-32 in the world rankings proved a blessing in disguise.

It is 13 years since the Irishman clinched his world title, while he also reached three other finals during a spell where was a Sheffield ever-present from 1993 to 2008.

Doherty failed to qualify last year but after a better season will be back in the top-32 next year and will leap a lot higher should he come through a tough first round assignment against Mark Selby.

Doherty is enjoying a new lease of life having reached 40 although it was a different story 12 months ago, when he was merely an interested spectator.

"I just had no confidence. When I was playing in practice I was OK but it doesn't really mean anything," he said. "You really have to get those wins under your belt.

"In a way dropping out of the top 32 might have even helped me because I played somewhat easier matches.

"At least I got a match under my belt before facing a top-32 player, and winning those first-round matches gave me that little bit of confidence and bit of bite back, so that was probably a blessing in disguise.

"I was very confused about how I was playing but everything has turned around. I've still got a long way to go yet, and I'm not back to where I'd like to be, but I'm slowly getting there.

"I think it says a lot about your character. I didn't want to just throw it in but I thought that if I kept losing first-round matches I might find myself forced off the tour, the way John Parrott is.

"I was on the floor basically as far as confidence was concerned but I'm glad I dragged myself up. It's great to be back at the Crucible."