Mark Williams teases surprise career move after World Championship final defeat
Mark Williams teases surprise career move after World Championship final defeat
The Welshman was beaten by Zhao Xintong in the final at the Crucible but has now turned his attention elsewhere
Williams has set his sights elsewhere following his World Snooker Championship heartbreak
(Image: Tai Chengzhe/VCG via Getty Images )
Welsh snooker star Mark Williams has teased a surprising new career move following his defeat to Zhao Xintong in the final of the World Championship.
The 50-year-old was aiming for his fourth world title at the Crucible but was beaten by Zhao, who became world champion for the first time with an 18-12 win having raced into a commanding lead. The Chinese star is a former world number six but was playing as an amateur having returned from a 20-month ban from the sport.
Following the defeat, a disappointed Williams - who beat the likes of Judd Trump and John Higgins to make it to the final - said he had "nothing but admiration" for the new world champion, hailing him as a "new superstar of the game".
But the Welshman has promptly turned his attention elsewhere and has raised a few eyebrows by teasing plans to compete at the World Seniors Championship next year.
The tournament, which follows the World Snooker Championship, is currently taking place at the Crucible, with the likes of Jimmy White and Ken Doherty amongst those in action.
Williams actually won the tournament in 2015 and played in it again the following year. However, he has been largely ineligible since, with the event closed to players who still had a professional tour card and were inside the top 64.
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However, the partnership between World Seniors Snooker (WSS) and the World Snooker Tour is set to come to an end following this year's World Seniors Championship.
That is set to lead to some major rule changes, with the WSS keen to allow all players over the age of 40 to play in seniors' competitions, regardless of their ranking.
As a result, the door is set to be opened again for world number three Williams to take part in the competition if he wishes to do so, with the likes of Higgins and Ronnie O'Sullivan also allowed to compete.
Williams himself seems keen to be involved again, taking to X to share a photo of himself watching the senior tournament and writing: 'I should be there, next year.'
When asked by one fan whether he could persuade seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry to feature alongside him, he cheekily responded: 'He wouldn't get past the first round.'
While few professional players take up the option of competing in the senior event, Williams could in theory claim two world titles in the space of a few weeks if he does take part next year, having banked £18,000 for his 2015 triumph.
A statement by the WSS on their separation from the World Snooker tour read: 'Following a request from World Seniors Snooker to include players currently inside the top 64 on the World Rankings, and attempts to negotiate these changes to allow WST and WSS to continue in partnership, a compromise was unable to be met.
'WSS is aware some tour players within the top 64, and over the age of 45, have approached WST to request permission to play in WSS Events. Also the WPBSA Players Board were supportive of the changes in the WST Tour players contract, which allow any third party promoter to invite any tour player irrespective of their ranking position, should also apply to WSS.
'WST extended the option to terminate the agreement which WSS have chosen to exercise," it continued. "As a result, both parties have mutually agreed to an early termination of the Sanctioning Agreement, which will take effect on May 12, following the conclusion of the 2025 World Seniors Snooker Championship.
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'WST and WSS remain committed to the sport of snooker and recognise the contributions of players at all levels. Both organisations sincerely appreciate the support of players, fans, and stakeholders and look forward to continuing to celebrate the rich history and future of the game.'
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