Tony Knowles Player Profile
Tony Knowles Stats
Date of birth: 13 June, 1955
Nationality: England
First turned professional: 1980
Highest ranking: 2
Ranking titles: 2
Triple Crown titles: 0
Crucible best: semi-final
Masters appearances: 8
147 breaks: 0
SHQ Stars:
★★★★
Summary
Tony Knowles first turned professional in 1980, just at a time when snooker was experiencing its first major boom in popularity.
The potter from Bolton was one of the main cast in the soap-opera decade that followed, with the sport featuring as much in the front pages of newspapers as it did on the back.
Knowles was no stranger to either, mixing his talent on the baize with his adventurous exploits away from the table.
For a period, the Englishman was at the highest echelons and regarded as one of the very best players in the world.
He made a name for himself at the 1982 World Championship when he thrashed then defending champion Steve Davis 10-1 in the first round at the Crucible Theatre.
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Later in the same year, with his victory in the International Open, Knowles became the first player to win an event other than the World Championship that was attributed ranking status.
When a second ranking success came soon after at the 1983 Professional Players Tournament, Knowles looked like he may be able to threaten the developing dominance of Davis.
But despite reaching a career-high world ranking of number two in 1984, Knowles was only able to add one more notable piece of individual silverware to his CV.
There were three disappointments in the semi-finals of the World Championship – in 1983 when he lost 16-15 to Cliff Thorburn and again in 1985 and 1986 when he was defeated by eventual champions Dennis Taylor and Joe Johnson respectively.
Knowles stayed in the top 16 until 1990, and despite a mini revival that featured a run to the final of the 1991 Dubai Classic, his tenure at the top began to fade.
Even though he lost his professional status in 2001, Knowles still loves the game and competed at Q School as recently as 2022.
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Ranking Event Victories
- 1982 International Open
- 1983 Professional Players Tournament
Other Notable Victories
- Australian Masters (1984)
- World Team Classic (1983)
Featured photo credit: WSS
Tony Knowles Player Profile
SHQ Stars: How it works
| Rating | SHQ Stars | Career Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Black | ★★★★★★★ | multiple world champion; 30+ ranking titles; career triple crown; world no.1 (at least 3) |
| Pink | ★★★★★★ | world champion; 10+ ranking titles; multiple winner of triple crown events; member of top 2; 15+ seasons in top 16 (at least 3) |
| Blue | ★★★★★ | winner of triple crown event; 5+ ranking titles; member of top 4; 12+ seasons in top 16 (at least 2) |
| Brown | ★★★★ | 2+ ranking titles; member of top 8; triple crown event finalist; 8+ seasons in the top 16 (at least 2) |
| Green | ★★★ | ranking title; member of top 16 (at least 1) |
| Yellow | ★★ | member of top 64 |
| Red | ★ | professional |
