World Pool Champion Fedor Gorst sits down with Al Arabiya English for an exclusive, wide-ranging interview ahead of defending his world title in Saudi Arabia.
In conversation with presenter Micheal Prendergast, the Russian cue star opens up about the pressures of staying on top, his unexpected backup career choice, and even shares his unfiltered verdict on Joe Rogan’s pool game. Asked whether he considers himself the greatest of all time, Gorst says: “That’s not a title I’m chasing.”
On best match he’s ever played, Gorst answered: “Probably the finals of the World Championships last year, you know, was the biggest prize that I won in my career. And also, the way I won the tournament was so special for me because I came from behind in so many matches, including the finals. So, I think it was just the biggest match that I've played in my career so far.”
On Joe Rogan beating him at pool at the beginning when they played, Gorst added: He's [Joe’s] a pool maniac. He's a big fan of pool. He's got two pool tables in his studio. He's got hundreds of different cues. We chat always about pool. He's always very supportive. He's watching all of my matches. So he's, he's just a really cool guy overall.
“We played for like three hours. He was winning in the beginning. It's high pressure for me to play against a guy like that. I don't know if you follow what Fargo rating is. If I had to rate him, I'd give him like, I don't know, 650 Fargo.”
On Joe Rogan not following up on streaming pool matches with him, Gorst replied: “I reminded him a couple of times, but I just think that Joe is just a super busy guy, you know, he's a career in UFC plus he's super busy with his own podcast now. I just don't see where he can find time for anything pool related. But I think when he does, he will definitely do that because it's his passion.”
On what’s it like playing pool in Saudi Arabia, Gorst Said: “Last year was my first time and really the arena is sick. You know it's a big arena. You're playing under bright lights. The atmosphere starting from the last 16 was amazing. The fans were super supportive and I expect nothing but the same this year. You know I'm ready.
“I think there's definitely a possibility of seeing champions in the next decade or so coming from Saudi. We're going to be playing World Dhampionships and maybe possibly more tournaments now in Saudi for many, many years now. And obviously, that's creating that buzz around the game here and around our sport. And hopefully it's going to encourage more and more locals to start practising and maybe one day become a world champion.”
On how he prepares for match, Gorst stated: “I mean, there's no real preparation. You can't really say that you got to do A and B and then you will get X and Y. I would say what helps me the most is breathing, conscious breathing, just learning how to breathe, to calm myself down in those situations when the pressure is super high.
“Also trying to recreate somewhat pressure during practise sessions, just to rely on fundamentals when it's needed and just try my best and learning from my mistakes, learning from losses, analysing what went wrong, helping me go further and further.”
On the worst match he’s played and what it taught him, Gorst responded: “The worst match probably was the European Open, I would say, in 2023. I was playing against Josh Filler and I was first on the hill. We were playing a race to 10 and I wasn't up nine, eight. And I missed the nine ball to win up. I missed a final ball to wind the match.
“And I ended up losing the match and I remember just walking back through the back door of the building because I was trying to avoid all the fans just to go straight back to my room, just head down, hood on my head. It was raining outside just like in movies. That loss I remember probably the most.”
On who his idols were growing up, Gorst said: “It was actually Niels Vijn, the player from Netherlands. I was following him in pool, and in tennis it was always rough on the doll. They're similar personalities, both super hardworking guys, and both never give up. Maybe that's why I like both of them.”
