Ronnie O’Sullivan faces old rival Ali Carter in his Crucible opener (Image: Getty)
The World Snooker Championship has already seen plenty of drama and intrigue – and Ronnie O’Sullivan hasn’t even played yet. Some big names have already fallen, including Kyren Wilson, who has become the latest defending champion to fall victim to the ‘Crucible curse’ as he suffered a dramatic first round defeat to Lei Peifan.
Another former Crucible king, Neil Robertson, is also out, beaten by Chris Wakelin, while last year’s runner-up, Jak Jones, was dispatched by dangerous Chinese qualifier Zhao Xintong. The standout tie of the first round begins on Tuesday as O’Sullivan returns to competitive action for the first time since January against bitter rival Ali Carter. Here’s a round-up of the latest news and views from the Crucible…
Rocket could grace another World Championship
O’Sullivan could potentially win two world championships from next year following the end of an arrangement between the World Snooker Tour (WST) and World Seniors Snooker (WSS). An agreement between the two tours has allowed players over the age of 40 to compete in WSS events, provided they were outside the top 64 in the world rankings, including the World Seniors Championship, which takes place at the Crucible after the WST version.
WSS has been pushing for all players over the age of 45 to become eligible. After an agreement could not be reached, the partnership between WSS and WST will officially end following this year’s World Seniors Championship.
It now means any over-45 player will be free to compete in WSS events, provided they don’t clash with WST tournaments. Therefore, O’Sullivan, 49, plus fellow snooker legends John Higgins and Mark Williams, will be eligible for both world championships from 2026.
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Wilson wants to snub BBC
Outgoing world champion Wilson is having second thoughts over working for the BBC at the tournament following his shock early exit. The Warrior had been due to provide some punditry for the corporation but admitted after his defeat to Lei: “I’m meant to be working for the BBC. I don’t know. I don’t really want to be there.
“This is extremely tough to take. It really hurts. I’ve such a strong record at the Crucible. I’m tough to beat here. I cannot think of anything worse than snooker right now.
“I love this sport, I love the game. I have tried to be the best ambassador possible. But now it’s trying to fit in a bit of quality family time.”
If he does fulfil his BBC commitment, he could end up working with Shaun Murphy. The pair have been embroiled in a war of words after Wilson branded Murphy’s behaviour during January’s Masters final between the pair “unprofessional”. Murphy has angrily hit back at the claim, promising to take up the matter in person with Wilson.
Kyren Wilson was left devastated by his early Crucible exit (Image: Getty)
Tiger Woods comparison
Jimmy White has compared Zhao to Tiger Woods after the qualifier made his long-awaited return to the Crucible. The Chinese star is rebuilding his career after returning to the game following his suspension for his minor role in the sport’s match-fixing scandal.
The 28-year-old, the UK champion in 2021, has already seen off 16th seed Jones. White said on TNT Sports: “He had the situation where he did not play for a couple of years, but he is the best striker [of a cue ball] I think I have ever seen.
“Every now and again in sport you get people like Ballesteros, Tiger Woods, and in snooker you have got Ronnie O’Sullivan. Now this kid has come along. He is a phenomenal player, a phenomenal scorer, we just love everything about him.”
Davis predicts changing of the guard
Steve Davis reckons the snooker landscape will be redrawn over the next few years, with young players taking the place of established stars. The six-time world champion made the prediction during Higgins’ tense victory over Joe O’Connor.
While Higgins got over the line, O’Connor is the type of player who could climb up the rankings as legends like Higgins, Mark Williams and O’Sullivan edge towards the end of their illustrious careers.
“The general trend is towards a changing of the guard in this game,” said Davis on the BBC. “A lot of younger players coming through are getting a load of experience. Some of the more established players – they’re still great players – but they’re up against it more often.
“So there’s going to be a lot of changing in the ranking list over the next couple of years. It could look completely different.”
Steve Davis is expecting big changes to the snooker rankings (Image: Getty)
Legend set for surgery
One of those legends, Williams, is hoping to extend his career by undergoing eye surgery. The Welsh Potting Machine has made no secret of his fading vision and has recently taken to wearing contact lenses.
Speaking after his first round victory over Wu Yize, he said: “I’ve tried playing with contacts but it’s very difficult and really uncomfortable in my eyes.
“I’m booked in on 12 June, I think, to get a lens replacement. If everything goes OK, hopefully that could prolong my career for another four or five years. That’s what I’m hoping anyway.”
