Joe Perry confirms retirement intention as he bids for romantic Crucible farewell

Perry was speaking to the World Snooker Tour following his 10-6 victory over Dylan Emery in the second qualifying round at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, a result that puts him two wins away from a fairy-tale Crucible swansong.

The match began on Wednesday afternoon with Perry crafting a break of 134 en route to a 4-3 lead, although Welshman Emery led 5-4 overnight after taking the final two frames of the opening session.

Returning the following afternoon, Perry won six of the next seven frames - highlighting a run of 129 in the process - to advance in the blue riband event and prolong his professional career.

Next up for 50-year-old Perry is a penultimate round assignment against China’s Yuan Sijun, a player who reached the semi-finals of the German Masters in Berlin a few months ago.

Former world number eight Perry said earlier this season that he would retire at the end of the campaign, and talked about it recently whilst he was commentating for ITV at the Players Series.

In a post-match interview with WST after his win, Perry confirmed this is still the case and that he has already actioned his retirement from the circuit.

“I thought it was on record” Perry said. “I have officially retired as soon as my participation in this event is over. I've sent the email.”

“I'll continue to play snooker, I'm going to be in the World Seniors but my time as a professional snooker player is up at the end of this tournament.

“I've took a long time to come to this decision, it's not a rash decision, I've thought about it for the past 12 to18 months and I decided midway through this season that enough was enough.”

Perry is guaranteed at least one more Crucible engagement as a player, as he is in the draw for the 2025 World Seniors Snooker Championship that will be played on the sport’s grandest stage a few days after the professional version finishes.

But Perry would love to end his top tier career at the Crucible, a place where he has enjoyed several very special moments, including on his debut there in 1999 when he ousted six-time champion Steve Davis, 10-9, on the final black in the opening round.

In 2008, Perry recorded his best World Championship result as he made it to the semi-finals in the one-table set-up. In 2018, on the opening day of the tournament he defeated reigning champion Mark Selby, 10-4.

The Englishman’s most recent appearance at the Crucible was two years ago, but he is focused on having one last hoorah there in snooker’s biggest event. “That's the aim this week. I'm trying as hard as ever out there. If I can play my last match at the Crucible - wonderful - but if it ends up being here then that's what it is.”

“I'd love to play my last ever game at the Crucible but it's going to be tough. The boys are so good these days, the standard's so high.”

Perry has been an ever-present on the professional tour since his rookie season in 1992/93.

Having reached world ranking event finals in 2001 in Malta, and 2014 in China, Perry won his maiden ranking event title at the 2015 Players Championship Grand Finals in Bangkok, Thailand when he came back from 3-0 down in the final to defeat Mark Williams, 4-3.

His second ranking event triumph arrived at the 2022 Welsh Open in Newport when he got the better of Judd Trump, 9-5, in the title tie.

'The Gentleman' also won the very first edition of Championship League Snooker in 2008, and two minor-ranked Asian Tour titles in China.

In total, Perry has appeared in six ranking finals, and he made it to the final of the 2017 Masters at the Alexandra Palace in London where he was denied the title by Ronnie O'Sullivan in a 10-7 outcome.

Asked about his feelings playing in his last professional tournament, Perry described: “It's alright actually. I was less nervous today than I have been for the last two or three years coming here because there is a lot depending on it the last few years.

“I'm trying to enjoy it; it's not easy when you play as ropey as I do these days but I'm trying my best.

“The pressure's different, I know if they get it to nine it's potentially my last ever frame, but so be it.”

As well as potentially featuring in further World Seniors events, Perry will look to continue his media career. He also runs a snooker and pool venue in Chatteris.

For all the results and the full draw for the 2025 World Snooker Championship qualifying rounds, please visit our information centre here.