Kyren Wilson ‘sold his soul’ to snooker ‘in a good way’ on emotional journey to World Championship title
Updated 06/05/2024 at 22:15 GMT
Newly-crowned World Snooker Championship Kyren Wilson said he "sold his soul” to the sport on his journey to becoming world champion. Wilson beat qualifier Jak Jones 18-14 in a tense final at the Crucible Theatre on Monday. “I love this game and I love this sport,” an emotional Wilson told Eurosport. “I’ve basically sold my soul to snooker in a good way and it’s led me to this point.”
Wilson pays emotional tribute to family after World Championship glory
An emotional Kyren Wilson reflected on his journey to the top of snooker following his landmark 2024 World Championship triumph on Monday.
‘The Warrior’ held off inspired qualifier Jak Jones to win 18-14 at the Crucible in Sheffield to become the 23rd player in the modern era to claim the prestigious trophy.
Wilson said it “sounds amazing” to be called the 2024 world champion, the high point of a challenging journey personally and for his family.
“It’s something that no one can ever, ever take away from me, it’s something that’s always going to live with me,” Wilson told Eurosport.
“The boys [Kyren’s sons] are still obviously very young but when they grow old they’ll realise how special this was.
“We’ve had a nightmare couple of years, family-wise and health-wise. It was nice to give them [the family] something, something to cheer for.
“It’s hard to put it to one side and crack on with the job at hand, but I love this game and I love this sport, I’ve basically sold my soul to snooker in a good way and it’s led me to this point. It’s nice that I can repay my family.
“We’ve grafted, we’ve done it the hard way, but we finally got there.”
'I'll never forget this moment' - Wilson reflects on glory at Crucible
Wilson built an emphatic seven-frame lead in the opening session - the best start to a final in over 30 years - and looked on course to run away with the match, but Jones twice reduced the deficit to just three frames.
However, a determined Wilson refused to let his lead slip before he inevitably got over the line.
“I never panicked,” he insisted. “It might have looked like I did but I never panicked, kept myself solid in my chair and just believed.
“I just knew that when my chance came at some point I was going to take it. I kept trying to play the positive shots as well. I thought, ‘I’m not going to fall over the line, I’m going to take it with both hands’.”
The 32-year-old featured in the World Championship final at an empty Crucible during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, where he lost 18-8 to hand Ronnie O’Sullivan his sixth title.
Wilson said the experience of his first final “massively” helped during his encounter with Jones, who he felt faced the same challenges he did four years ago.
“I think it showed in the first session,” Wilson explained on Eurosport. “I remember when I played Ronnie and in the first session, I was so tired, running on reserves.
“I actually saw Jak just before we went out in the first session and I could see how drained he was. I thought ‘Right, I need to hit home now’ and I knew that was my session to kick on.”
Speaking directly after his victory, Wilson made a public apology to Jones for his emotional outcry as he potted the final few balls, and credited his opponent for a spirited performance.
Kyren Wilson ist der neue Snooker-Weltmeister
Image credit: Getty Images
“I’d like to say sorry to Jack for that outburst, but it does just mean so much to all of us,” he said in front of the Crucible crowd. “[My family] have sacrificed their whole lives to get me here, it’s a massive team effort.
“[Jak] was so tough, I’m not sure there are any people left in Wales the amount they were cheering for him. They [the crowd] made it a fantastic atmosphere.
“Me and Jak have come through some junior ranks. This is Jak’s first final, let alone a world final. He’s conducted himself in an amazing fashion.”
'Tears are flowing!' - Wilson clinches Crucible glory with emotional celebrations
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