Driven by a highly-positive campaign in the World Snooker Main Tour, Tony Drago has set his sights on regaining his place among the best 32 players in the world next season.
The Valletta cuiest is currently in Malta for a short vacation after completing his season in the professional game by playing in the China Open last month.
Drago's participation in the Beijing tournament was his second appearance in the final stages of a ranking event this year after making the venue of the Welsh Open in January.
The positive run-in to the season marked a complete turnaround in Drago's fortunes as only a few months before he looked on the verge of bowing out of the snooker scene after losing his place on the circuit.
However, things took a twist to the right direction when he won the 2009 EBSA International Open to reclaim his place in the Main Tour.
Then, in summer, Drago took Jimmy White's advice and started training again at the Whirlwind's club in London.
The move left the desired dividends as the 2009-10 season turned out to be a successful one for Drago who chalked up 17 wins on the Tour to improve his position by several positions. At present, he is no.55 in the ranking list.
"I feel like I have rediscovered my love for the game," Drago told reporters yesterday.
"Up to a year ago, I was on the verge of quitting snooker as I had lost my motivation. But, fortunately, I had great people around me who inspired me to put my game back on track. I can't find enough words to thank people like Jimmy White and Joe Caruana Curran, the MBSA president... both were influential in my decision to return.
"This season ranks among the best in my 25 years as a professional.
"But this is by no means a finishing point for me. Winning so many matches has filled me with confidence and now I'm determined to get back among the top 32."
Drago, who climbed as high as no.8 in the rankings when on top of his game, emphasised that snooker remained his no.1 sport despite a string of successful runs in various pool competitions in different parts of the globe.
"I have enjoyed playing pool lately but now my main focus is to move a step further in my snooker career," Drago said.
"My immediate plans are to continue training hard and reach the first major tournament of the new season in June in perfect shape. This year, I will be playing in Pro Challenge tournaments and that should keep me going. Now, I'm in the top 64 so I will have less rounds to play to reach the final stages of a ranking event."
Meanwhile, it was announced yesterday that Drago will also take a role as ambassador for the Grand Hotel Excelsior, his sponsors on the Main Tour.
"I'm honoured to be associated with the Grand Hotel Excelsior," Drago, 44, said.
"This is a new concept for me but now I will do my utmost to try and attract competitions to these impressive surroundings. I believe the Excelsior Hotel could be an excellent venue for cue sport and hopefully my influence in the game will help to have a tournament played here soon.
"Besides, next week I will also travel to Treviso with Mr Caruana Curran. We'll be trying to secure the hosting of the nine-ball pool championships to Malta."