In the niche world of precision sports, few athletes embody the blend of mental fortitude and physical discipline quite like Egypt’s Hatem Yassine. As a two-time All Africa Snooker Champion, Hatem has carved out a distinguished career stretching beyond national borders, placing him firmly on the international snooker scene. His journey from Al Ahly club to the professional circuit is nothing short of inspiring. As he gears up for another thrilling season on the 2024/25 world tour, Hatem opens up about the sacrifices, challenges, and mindset shifts that have shaped his journey.
Can you walk us through what winning the 2024 All Africa Snooker Championship felt like and how it has shaped your mindset for the upcoming professional tour?
Ever since I booked my plane ticket to South Africa, I felt like I was destined to win the tournament as the final was scheduled on my birthday. However, since my first match, I struggled to find my form and had to fight hard to win every game. During the final, my opponent was steamrolling me for the majority of the game and I had to rely on my experience to stay with him until the crucial moments of the match. He started making the odd mistake here and there, which really made the difference in the end! Winning the title for the second time was the most wonderful birthday present I could ever wish for. This will be my second run on the professional circuit and I now feel I have enough experience to make the best of it. Ninety percent of this game is between the ears and I had to learn this the hard way, so fingers crossed you will be hearing about me more over the next couple of years.
You’ve been playing snooker for nearly two decades. Looking back to when you started, what’s the biggest change you’ve seen in yourself as a player and a person? What got you into the sport in the first place?
You naturally gain experience as you mature through the years, but the biggest change in my snooker personality happened during my first run on the professional circuit. I have seen how the pros live, eat, and breathe snooker. It made me look back on how I first got into snooker. My mates used to go for a few games at Al Ahly club and for three months I just watched. I was slowly falling in love with the game and once I put my hands on a cue, there was no looking back! I approach life the same way I approach snooker. I like to sit back, watch, and learn so that when the opportunity presents itself I have enough ammunition to make the most “damage” I can.
Your journey has taken you from Egypt to the international sports scene, how does it feel like representing Egypt and African snooker globally?
Representing Egypt and Africa has always felt like a huge responsibility, and it does carry a lot of pressure with it, but so does representing my local snooker club. No matter how experienced you are every competition feels like a cutthroat situation where you have to use all the knowledge and experience you’ve acquired -over the years- to make it through a match or a tournament.
Snooker is known for its precision and mental toughness. How do you stay mentally sharp, especially when the stakes are high?
Steve Davis, one of the all-time greats, used to say that when the stakes are high and the situation means so much you have to play the game as if it means nothing. During the final of the African Championship, I was completely gone for the majority of the match but I kept thinking “What is the worst that could happen? You’re in the final of the African Championship and that is already an achievement”. This mindset helped take a lot of the pressure off of my shoulders and it helped me regroup to -eventually- claim the title.
The pandemic paused everything. How did you adapt and stay motivated during the 2020–2021 era? Did that period change or affect how you approach your career?
During the pandemic, almost all the snooker activities were paused in Egypt but I took that opportunity to distance myself from all the unnecessary distractions and focus on improving my game. No one was sure how things would look like a few years down the line, but for some reason, I never stopped believing.
What were the challenges you faced on your way to winning the All-Africa Championship?
There were numerous challenges, but they’re no different than what any champion would face on their way to winning a major title. You have a family, and they’re always your priority, but you still make sacrifices, be it mental, emotional, or financial as you claw your way to the top. This year was no different. I am sure you realize the financial challenges a snooker player has to overcome to fund their training, equipment, plane tickets, accommodations…. etc. On top of that, I’m currently without a sponsor, which adds an extra layer of difficulty. It is equally challenging for everyone, but once you claim the title, every sacrifice you’ve made feels worth it.
What are you most excited about with the 2024/25 world tour ahead, including tournaments in the UK?
I am extremely excited about the prospect of making the best of my pro tour run this time around. I believe I have gained enough experience to face the snooker pros with a different mindset. The snooker tour is a very lucrative business if you have what it takes to win matches.
Snooker is a game of patience and strategy. Do you find that this also impacts how you handle challenges in your personal life?
Like I said before, I approach snooker the same way I approach life. Life is full of challenges and if you don’t have the right mindset, you will struggle day in and day out. I believe in being disciplined and remaining consistent, everything else will eventually take care of itself.
This sport is relatively niche in Egypt. What’s it like building a career in a sport that’s still growing in popularity in your home country?
It’s all about passion. Being a snooker player is no different than being a football star once you’re passionate about it. It is the passion that is the driving force and motivation to remain disciplined and consistent with your training and life choices. Who knows? Maybe winning this African title and making a difference on the pro tour will help inspire more people to take up snooker!
Do you have any rituals or techniques that help you maintain focus and composure during tense matches?
My M.O. is very simple. My coaches have always insisted on the importance of the basics so I always focus on the basics. Everything else will take care of itself. Having a solid foundation will always pay dividends when it matters!
How do you plan to navigate the pressures of back-to-back international tournaments and stay at the top of your game during the professional snooker tour?
I have a very large appetite to learn and work on myself and my game. This forever-student mentality is key when you play on a professional tour. No one can stay at the top of their game forever and if you’re willing to accept that, you can always go back to the drawing board and work on the weak links, and eventually come back stronger.
How do you unwind after a match? Do you have any hobbies or interests that help you relax and reset?
A good meal out with my wife and my children or a movie with my mates is usually how I unwind after a difficult match or celebrate after a tournament win. I also work hard on my physique and find that going to the gym regularly helps me cope with the pressure the game places on my shoulders.
How does playing as part of a team differ from the sport’s individual nature?
Playing a team’s tournament definitely carries more pressure and responsibility as more people are counting on you but how you approach the game remains the same. Do what you were taught to do consistently and the results will take care of themselves.
What’s the legacy you hope to leave behind in the snooker world?
I haven’t thought about leaving a legacy behind. I am a very simple person. I just want to inspire more people to play and excel in the game that I love and once I’ve reached the end of my playing career I would want to have had enough achievements for my two children to be proud of.
What did you wish people knew more about snooker?
I only wish people knew there’s more to snooker than just a game to pass the time. It is an amazing game and once you realise how challenging it is to the body and the mind, chances are you will be instantly hooked.
Hatem Yassine’s story is a testament to perseverance, passion, and the power of discipline. As he looks ahead to the next chapter of his professional tour, Hatem remains grounded in his values, determined to inspire future generations and elevate the sport he cherishes and holds dear.
