Louis Heathcote hails ‘brilliant’ guaranteed income move after hitting ‘rock bottom’

Louis Heathcote admits he has contemplated giving up snooker after hitting ‘rock bottom’ on the tour, but feels the new guaranteed income initiative has lifted a weight from his shoulders.

A new WST and WPBSA move guarantees tour players at least £20,000 over a season, paid out in two payments of £10,000 in September and January. It is set against prize money, so must be repaid if players earn more than £20,000, but it is a helpful safety net.

It is very welcome news to the 2020 Rookie of the Year, who has had a tricky start to the season, winning just one match so far and is yet to be paid for that victory in the Northern Ireland Open qualifiers.

That means the world number 80 has not been paid anything from snooker since April and has been living off occasional shifts in the club where he practices and the help of his family.

‘It’s a flipping struggle,’ Heathcote told Metro.co.uk. ‘I’ve not been paid since April. So April-October I wouldn’t have had any source of income from snooker because I get paid after the Northern Ireland Open.

‘Working in the club is just to get me by, it’s just here and there. My mum, dad and step mum have been a godsend the last 8-10 months. The stress and strain of it. Obviously I’ve not had the best of seasons, but having no income, no money at all, it’s really tough.

‘You start playing for money rather than just trying to win the match and you’ve got no chance when you’re in that mindset. It’s been tough.’

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