A World Snooker Championship star surprisingly withdrew from an upcoming event lower than every week earlier than it commences.
Mark Williams has opted to withdraw out of a event following his World Championship exit (Picture: Getty) This text accommodates affiliate hyperlinks, we’ll obtain a fee on any gross sales we generate from it. Be taught extra
Mark Williams has abruptly withdrawn from the World Seniors Snooker Championship regardless of the event starting in lower than every week. The three-time world champion, 51, was earmarked because the occasion’s headliner however will now get replaced by Nigel Bond on the Crucible.
The Welshman was knocked out within the second spherical of the World Snooker Championship by Barry Hawkins final weekend, placing an finish to his hopes of capturing a fourth world title. Williams has but to remark publicly on the explanation for his withdrawal however his complaints about his eyesight and the yips have been effectively documented in current months.
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Bond, 60, is actually a worthy alternative given his standing as a British Open champion and former world finalist. The Englishman at present works as the top coach at Ronnie O’Sullivan’s snooker academy in Saudi Arabia. The World Seniors Snooker Tour confirmed Williams’ absence on X: “Mark Williams will probably be changed within the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship by Nigel Bond.
“Bond, from Derbyshire, is a former British Open and Shootout Champion who reached the ultimate of the World Skilled Championship in 1995. He’s additionally a former winner of the World Seniors Snooker Championship, one thing he achieved in 2012. Since retiring Nigel has been head coach in Riyadh on the Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Academy.
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“He’ll face the winner of Craig Steadman or Neal Jones on Friday, Might 8.” Williams has been plagued with eye points and contemplated going beneath the knife for lens alternative surgical procedure. The snooker icon opened up concerning the state of affairs after his first-round victory towards Antoni Kowalski, as he advised TNT Sports activities: “Optical Categorical are ringing me each week saying I’m on the precedence record and may get straight in and have them executed.
Mark Williams was knocked out within the second spherical of the World Snooker Championship (Picture: Getty)
“However how do I put myself beneath the knife, or no matter it’s, when I’m successful tournaments and taking part in OK? I’ll 100 per cent get it executed, however I simply can’t deliver myself to do it proper now. I can’t grumble. The best way I’m taking part in at my age for the time being, I’m very happy. I’ve received a rating event this season and I am within the final 16 of the Worlds. In the event you had mentioned that at first, I might have bitten your hand off.”
Regardless of his struggles, Williams has vowed to play longer than his Class of 92 rivals, Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins. He not too long ago mentioned: “I simply did an interview with Steve Davis, and he requested me: ‘Which of you goes to surrender first?’. I mentioned: ‘It’s not me!’.
“I’ve already made up my thoughts, once I drop off the tour, I’ll preserve taking part in within the amateurs, and journey round with my boy [13-year-old son Joel] if he’s nonetheless taking part in. So I’m out of the equation. It’s who’s going to crack out of these two, as a result of I’m staying, even when I drop off the tour. I’ll be on the newbie circuit, making an attempt to get again on. I’m going to see the place I’m at 55, within the high 16 or wherever, and simply carry on trucking.”
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