A snooker official has been praised for an act that followers in attendance wouldn’t have seen.
Tatiana Woollaston has been praised for a gesture on the World Snooker Championship (Picture: Alex Pantling, Getty Pictures)
Snooker referee Tatiana Woollaston has been lauded for a caring gesture in direction of Wu Yize on the Crucible. The 39-year-old has overseen matches on the World Snooker Championship since her match debut in 2020.
New world champion Wu secured the title with an exhilarating 18-17 overcome Shaun Murphy on Monday. The 22-year-old pocketed the £500,000 prime prize and in addition noticed off the likes of Mark Selby and Mark Allen on his path to the ultimate. His World Snooker Championship success has propelled Wu to No.4 within the rankings, along with his composure on the Crucible indicating there might be many extra rating titles forward. But a quick behind-the-scenes clip with ref Woollaston served as a reminder of Wu’s comparatively tender age, regardless of his poise beneath stress. The footage captured Woollaston, whom Ronnie O’Sullivan has praised prior to now, aiding Wu along with his bow tie. The digital camera tracked John Higgins as he headed backstage, then shifted to the official adjusting Wu’s tie and smoothing down his collar.
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The touching second ended with Wu graciously replying, “Thanks”, earlier than making his manner into the occasion workplace. Followers in attendance would have been oblivious to the small act of kindness earlier than watching the Chinese language star compete in the course of the match.
The footage has since gone viral on social media, with Woollaston incomes widespread reward for serving to Wu. In a publish on X, she stated: “Even had messages from my work colleagues in China with this clip. Belongings you do as a snooker ref.”
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Fan responses had been overwhelmingly supportive, with one writing: “I like this. And love that Wu wears a correct dickiebow.” One other stated: “What a phenomenal second.”
Others joked that the mother-of-two’s pure parental instincts had prompted the gesture. A 3rd fan posted: “That is such a mummy factor to do. Hahaha. Good on you.” A fourth wrote: “Mammy mode kicked in.”
Even had messages from my work colleagues in China with this clip. Belongings you do as a snooker ref ?????? https://t.co/xYG5IhXICu
— Tatiana Woollaston (@tatiana_referee) Might 7, 2026
A fifth fan added: “As soon as a mum, at all times a mum.” Whereas one other described the second as “excellent”.
Snooker legend O’Sullivan has beforehand hailed Woollaston because the “greatest ref on the planet by a mile”. The Belarusian official took cost of her first Triple Crown remaining on the UK Championship in 2024.
Nevertheless, there may be one participant on the snooker circuit whom Tatiana is banned from refereeing. She is married to skilled participant Ben Woollaston and is unable to officiate his matches. The couple share two sons collectively.
Reflecting on the dynamic in 2024, Tatiana defined: “He is on the circuit as a participant, I am on the circuit as a referee. We have by no means actually combine that. I am clearly not allowed to referee his video games and I would not wish to, to be honest.”
Concerning the couple balancing their profession and household commitments, she added: “Ben’s profession is immensely essential, however he would by no means say no to me going to any snooker occasions as a result of he is aware of how a lot I like it. If he is out of the occasion, he’ll take over doing faculty pick-ups and homework. We work round one another whereas Ben’s mum performs an enormous position serving to us with the youngsters.”
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