Chris Wakelin has already banked at least £50,000 for reaching the quarter-finals of the World Snooker Championship. He could add to that tally if he overturns a deficit against Zhao Xintong on Wednesday, but he already has big plans for home life after the Crucible.
The world No. 20 had only played in the World Championship on three occasions previously and never advanced past the first round. He is one of several breakout stars at this year’s edition, creating sponsorship opportunities that the 33-year-old has never received before.
Wakelin’s displays in Sheffield have attracted the attention of Hot Tubs of London and the outdoor spa specialists have promised him a “massive” hot tub.
That is regardless of his performance in the quarter-finals. Wakelin is over the moon at the proposition, even though he and wife Lucy have a lack of space in the garden, with the married couple clashing over whether their shed should go to make room.
“Jamie, who owns Hot Tubs of London, has promised me a hot tub,” Wakelin explained. “Unfortunately we have got a shed in the garden at the minute, which Lucy thinks is more important than a hot tub. But who knows?
“I think we’ll end up getting a hot tub in the garden at some point. We have got a great partnership. We’ll have to make a deal.”
The sheer size of the hot tub is what appeals to Wakelin, who trailed the first session against Zhao 6-2. He even took a trip to Essex to see them for himself and was left in awe.
“I went down to see the showroom last year, the ones that Jamie sells are a bit different from normal hot tubs,” he explained. “Why are they so different? They are massive. I didn’t know hot tubs could come that big.
“But as much as I’d love to have a swimming pool in my back garden, I can’t swim. When I started running a couple of years ago, a friend of mine suggested I should do a triathlon. He gave me my bike to ride for a few weeks – but I fell off it.
“He then said: ‘What about swimming?’ I said: ‘I can’t swim, so all the best for that one.’ I won’t be doing any triathlons any time soon.”
Wakelin worked full-time as a delivery driver for ASDA before turning professional and could add to his prize money further by overturning Zhao’s deficit, which would be to the tune of £100,000 should he reach the semi-finals.
Reaching the final guarantees £200,000, with the overall winner banking a whopping £500,000.