Latest news with #BenWoollaston
BBC News
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Keeping up with the Woollastons - snooker's family affair
Ben Woollaston shot into the snooker spotlight with his surprising first-round win against Mark Selby at the World was a match between friends and practice partners from Leicester, and one that Selby said before the draw he hoped to Selby coughed up what he described as a "pathetic" performance to lose 10-8, Woollaston celebrated arguably the best result of his career in what became a post-midnight finish.A first win at the famous Crucible theatre has been a long time coming for Woollaston, who is now has suffered with chronic fatigue in recent years and said he was so sickly he was "green" before the final session against if the surname rings a bell, then that might not be entirely down to Ben's snooker achievements Tatiana is one of the sport's leading is not allowed to take charge of Ben's matches to avoid any possible accusations of a conflict of interest, but has officiated on many of the sport's big occasions and first appeared at the World Championship in 2020. 'I'd never heard of him' Ben Woollaston turned professional at the age of 17, and, as might be expected, found it tough initially to get the wins to stay on flitted between professional and amateur ranks, but since 2009 has been a fixture on the main was while in Germany for the Paul Hunter Classic in 2010 that Tatiana, making her way in the game as a European Billiards and Snooker Association referee, first encountered married in later told BBC Sport: "I had never heard of him. When we met he was 70 or 80 in the world."I think it improved him a lot and has given him motivation. Maybe it inspired him."Woollaston is 44th for now with 2024-25 season earnings of £139,900... and counting. He has been as high as 25th. Crucible success a long time in coming Ben Woollaston won a first minor ranking title in a Players Tour Championship event in Sheffield in 2011, and was one of a number of players with serious promise to emerge at about that time, others including Judd Trump, Jack Lisowski and Anthony qualified for the World Championship in 2013, and despite losing in round one to Ali Carter might well have expected to become a Crucible also reached the 2015 Welsh Open final, where he was beaten by John in qualifying for the Worlds became a frustrating and difficult habit to break, and returning to the sport's most famous stage this year could be considered Woollastons have two sons, and their eldest, 12-year-old Edward, joined Tatiana in the Crucible crowd to see Ben crawl over the line at the end of two gruelling sessions against Selby."It's amazing for Edward. I don't know how he did it - to watch five hours one night and five hours the next night," said Ben Woollaston."He didn't miss one shot [and] stayed in there during the interval. It's amazing that he did it."Ben's win might have cost Edward some bonus pocket money, however, as he had drawn Selby in a World Championship sweepstake at their snooker club with a £100 prize up for grabs."He thought he had a good chance," Woollaston also works at the head office of clothes retailer Next, with snooker a part-time occupation, but is one of the most respected refs refereed the UK Championship final between Judd Trump and Barry Hawkins at the York Barbican in December. That was her first final of a Triple Crown event, a possible step towards a Crucible title match for the 38-year-old, who hails from Belarus. How much do snooker referees earn? World Snooker Tour says this is confidential and would not offer any some, though, it is a full-time role and involves extensive world well as matches on the regular tour, officials might top up their earnings by running the rule over exhibition has been a lucrative sideline since the sport's boom years in the 1980s, when the likes of Len Ganley were almost as popular as the top Mike Ganley - World Snooker Tour tournament director and Len's son - has said: "Len made good money from the exhibitions because for whatever reason he did have a profile, and an ego and a personality that went with it."That helps. It is understood that a referee's basic pay is generally rather modest, certainly compared to the top can confidently say that Ben Woollaston's World Championship earnings this year will top any referee's income from the 17 the second round means he is assured of at least £30,000. The champion collects £500, plan for Friday was to sleep as much as possible so that he feels fresh to go again when he plays China's Si Jiahui in round two, in a match that begins on was seen with Tatiana and Edward heading back to their hotel at about 01:00 BST, and while Ben and Edward possibly had a lie-in, there was no such comfort for was straight back to work, refereeing the second session of the round two match between Mark Allen and Chris began at 10:00 BST, and it contained what might go down as another career highlight - picking the black ball out of the pocket as Allen became the 11th man to make a 147 maximum break at the World far, Sheffield is treating the Woollastons well.
Telegraph
25-04-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Snooker player who blamed Covid vaccine on health issues knocks out Mark Selby
The Crucible produced another extraordinary story on Thursday night as Ben Woollaston, a journeyman player who claims to have suffered long-term health issues following a Covid vaccination four years ago, dumped out four-time world champion Mark Selby 10-8 in a late-night thriller. Woollaston, 37, who was making a first Crucible appearance in 12 years, has faced a lengthy battle to return to snooker's top tier after what he says was a direct reaction to a Covid jab in May 2021. He said has suffered 'blackouts' and being 'unable to stand for about six months'. Although not officially diagnosed, the Leicester-born qualifier says he 'passed out' soon after the jab, adding his symptoms continued once he made it home. It eventually led to him 'sleeping 18-20 hours a day'. Even today, he says he cannot bowl more than a few balls at his son in the garden before he needs to lie down. 'It's from the vaccine, it happened from that day, May 2021,' Woollaston claimed in an interview earlier this season. 'I passed out after having it. I couldn't stand for about six months. I'd never passed out in my life but I had that same feeling for about six months. Standing in the garden, standing in the shower, I felt like I was going to pass out. 'I couldn't sleep enough. I literally woke up to eat because I was sleeping 18-20 hours a day. I put loads of weight on because I was just eating and sleeping. It was awful. I'd hit the ball and forget, just for a split second. 'I could miss absolutely anything, it was a bit of a lottery. I was playing with closed eyes on a few shots. I have it less frequently now but it's frustrating because it's unpredictable. I was in the top 32 for about six years in a row. I'd never thought about dropping off the tour but, at one time, I couldn't see how I could stay on.' Despite undergoing an array of scans and tests, doctors have yet to pinpoint Wollaston's precise condition. Woollaston, who is married to referee Tatiana Woollaston, added: 'To be honest, they don't really have a clue. It's been hard on my wife. To be sincere, only my wife and my mum genuinely grasp what it's like. 'I probably wouldn't believe it if it was someone else [because], it's weird, isn't it? It's hard to understand because the specialists don't even understand it. They don't know what to do. 'I don't know if it's chronic fatigue syndrome. That's only what one doctor has told me but that was on video call, so how would he know? Something's made me poorly from the vaccine but I don't know what.' Woollaston's victory was well received by the crowds at the Crucible who were all well-aware of his health issues. He was introduced at the start by presenter Rob Walker, who referred to him as 'the flame-haired assassin of Leicester'. 'How fantastic to see this player healthy again following long-term issues following his Covid jab,' Walker added. "𝗪𝗶𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲!" Ben Woollaston defeated four-time world champion Mark Selby 10-8 in a late-night Crucible thriller 🔥 #WorldChampionship — TNT Sports (@tntsports) April 25, 2025 Six-time world champion Steve Davis also picked up on Woollaston's story in commentary, referring to an interview Woollaston had given when he recalled his hand 'shaking a lot' and said there was 'no sign of that now, which is good'. He also told the story of Wollaston collapsing immediately following his Covid jab, and then again after getting home. Woollaston, whose only ranking event final came at the 2015 Welsh Open, in which he lost to John Higgins, was trailing 5-4 in his first-round match against his friend and fellow Leicester native Selby following Wednesday's opening session. But he started his fightback by taking the first two frames on Thursday evening's resumption. And he then emerged victorious from a topsy turvy session in which both men had their chances. Selby eventually offered his friend a handshake in a tense 18th frame in which he was left needing two snookers. Woollaston was understandably emotional after the biggest win of his career. 'I'm in shock really,' Woollaston said to BBC Four. 'I never thought this day would come, winning a match at the Crucible, and against Mark, who except for Ronnie O'Sullivan is probably the king of the Crucible in recent times. It's an amazing win for me.'
The Irish Sun
25-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
World Snooker Championship referee banned from officiating in one player's matches
ONE of snooker's top referees is banned from officiating matches involving a World Championship star. Ben Woollaston stunned four-time champion Advertisement 2 Tatiana Woollaston is one of the sport's top referees Credit: PA 2 Ben Woollaston secured a shock first round victory over a former champion Credit: Alamy But experienced Belarusian They met at a tournament in 2010 and tied the knot just ten months later. Both of them are featuring at the Tatiana is free to referee matches on her husband's side of the draw. Advertisement READ MORE IN SNOOKER And with the two-table setup at the tournament until the semi-finals, she could officiate on the baize directly next to But World Championship chiefs are reportedly unlikely to schedule this to happen. On her career and being married to a pro, Tatiana said: "He's on the circuit as a player, I'm on the circuit as a referee. "We've never really mix that. I'm obviously not allowed to referee his games and I wouldn't want to, to be fair. Advertisement Most read in Snooker BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK "There wasn't even a formal discussion about it but I think it was just obvious and common sense to everyone. And I wouldn't want to. 'But in any other situation it shouldn't matter that I am Ben's wife if I am doing a good job. 'You never know what is going on' - BBC presenter opens up on emotional moment with snooker star John Higgins "I get a lot of great feedback from players, I don't know if they are being polite to me because I am Ben's wife but they are normally pretty straightforward and honest. Advertisement "They might just crack a few jokes and say Ben is a lucky man having a referee for his wife." Woollaston faces Si Jiahui in the second round tomorrow, but he is lucky to even be in the tournament after
The Irish Sun
22-04-2025
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
World Championship star who's married to ref nearly didn't make it to Crucible after almost blacking out while driving
SNOOKER QUALIFIER Ben Woollaston nearly never made it to the Crucible after almost blacking out while driving. Advertisement 2 Ben Woollaston has been battling chronic fatigue syndrome Credit: Getty 2 Ben Woollaston nearly never made it to the Crucible. Credit: PA Before he won two qualifying rounds – and secured his place at the Worlds for the first time since 2013 – the Leicester cueist suffered a funny turn in his car. The world No44 revealed: 'I've been a lot better with it but recently, I had a real few bad turns. 'I was a bit worried about the qualifiers because I felt as bad as I did a couple of years ago. I hadn't felt like that for a while. 'I was driving a couple of weeks ago with Tatiana and I had to pull over straightaway because I was seconds from passing out. Advertisement READ MORE IN SNOOKER 'I haven't felt like that for two years. I took it easy for a few days before the qualifiers because I wanted to rest as much as I could before playing.' Woollaston takes on hometown hero The 2015 Welsh Open runner-up is not worried about the late nights though he tries to avoid too much physical exertion. He said: 'I can't really worry about it. There's nothing I can do to help it really. Advertisement Most read in Snooker Latest BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK 'If I do too much physically, which is not a lot these days, my heart rate gets higher and I feel it. 'If I kick a football with my kids for ten minutes I probably have to lie down for an hour. Kyren Wilson hints at major snooker change just days after being latest victim of Crucible World 'I was the fittest I'd been before the vaccine. I was two stones lighter. 'Now I just can't do any exercise and I love my food, so it's hard not to put on weight. Advertisement 'It's got to be the vaccine. I was perfect before that. I passed out 15 or 20 minutes after it. I couldn't really stand on my feet for six months. 'I remember it. It was two days before my birthday, on May 12, 2021.' Woollaston's two children will be looked after by his snooker club-owning mum, 76, and Tatiana until she arrives at the World Championship for the second round. The pair got married in 2011 and since then, Tatiana's officiating career has soared, and she was in charge of the 2024 UK Championship final that Advertisement Yet the Belarussian, 38, is not allowed to ref matches involving her husband. The 37-year-old said: 'Before we were together she refereed me in a plate competition for the losers. 'I actually won and played all right. She didn't know how to pronounce my surname. She had to ask Jan Verhaas how to pronounce it. This was before we were dating. 'I honestly don't know how referees do it. They're unsung heroes. To concentrate for that long. Advertisement 'It's bad enough playing but they don't get a break. We get to sit down when we aren't at the table. 'Hopefully she'll do a World Championship final, I'm sure she will. I'm biased but she's definitely one of the best. Hopefully that day will come. 'She's willing to sacrifice the final if I get there the year she's meant to do it! 'I'm just really looking forward to my return. I was a completely different person before. Advertisement 'A lot of things have happened. My son was only a few months old when I last qualified. Now he's a big boy. He's 12 years old. 'I'm really excited that my kids can watch me at the Crucible. They get to watch mummy all the time and I'm never around so this is a bit different. 'I'm sure I'll be really nervous and won't be able to breathe for half an hour, but hopefully I'll settle down and play like I know I can.' World Snooker Championship 2025 WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action! There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round after a stunning performance from Lei Peifan. Ronnie O'Sullivan will take to the snooker table after missing recent tournaments, while world no 1 Judd Trump heads into the tournament as the favourite. The likes of Shaun Murphy, Mark Selby and John Higgins are also expected to be contenders. You can follow every frame of the tournament LIVE - plus the latest news, interviews and reaction - as it happens with our dedicated BLOG. Latest News John Higgins breaks down in tears after epic win Snooker Explained FULL schedule and results for 2025 How much prize money can be won? When did O'Sullivan last win a title? Who are the BBC snooker presenters and pundits?
Daily Mirror
22-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Mirror
Mark Selby's Crucible rival had 'blackouts' in matches during mystery illness - 'I could miss anything'
World Snooker Championship qualifier Ben Woollaston, who faces Mark Selby at the Crucible, opens up on the mystery illness which threatened his future in the game Snooker star Ben Woollaston suffered blackouts during matches as he battled a mystery illness. Suspected to be a chronic fatigue-like condition, the 37-year-old struggled to stand and even stay awake for more than a few hours for months. To his credit, Woollaston, once a regular inside the top 32, managed to return his tour card. On Wednesday, he plays fellow Leicester potter Mark Selby in the first round as he returns to the World Championship for the first time in 12 years. Woollaston still hasn't had an official diagnosis for his health struggles but he hasn't been the same since receiving a Covid job almost four years ago. While his condition has improved, he still isn't 100 per cent. 'It's from the vaccine, it happened from that day, May 2021,' recalled Woollaston earlier this season. 'I passed out after having it. I couldn't stand for about six months. 'I'd never passed out in my life but I had that same feeling for about six months. Standing in the garden, standing in the shower, I felt like I was going to pass out. 'I couldn't sleep enough. I literally woke up to eat because I was sleeping 18-20 hours a day. I put loads of weight on because I was just eating and sleeping. It was awful.' For a time, Woollaston even had mini blackouts during games. He said: 'I'd hit the ball and forget, just for a split second. 'I could miss absolutely anything, it was a bit of a lottery. I was playing with closed eyes on a few shots. I have it less frequently now but it's frustrating because it's unpredictable. 'I was in the top 32 for about six years in a row. I'd never thought about dropping off the tour but, at one time, I couldn't see how I could stay on.' Woollaston admits even playing with his children for more than a few minutes wears him out. But he has learned how to manage his energy levels while on tour and he still has designs on climbing back in the top 32. He is currently ranked 44th in the world. 'I never feel full of energy, ever,' said Woollaston, who is married to referee Tatiana Woollaston. 'It's a struggle to play with my kids, although I try. 'My son's into cricket and I try to bowl to him. I've not even running in but I'll bowl two or three overs, then need a lie down. Anything more than walking is a lot. 'Even after playing a snooker match, it's still difficult the next day. For matches, I just try and rest as much as I can. Before [the jab], I'd go out as much as possible. While touring, I'd do a lot of walking but it's probably risky for me to do that before a match now.' He has had various scans and tests but specialists remain stumped by the condition. He said: 'To be honest, they don't really have a clue. It's been hard on my wife. To be honest, only my wife and my mum really understand it. 'I probably wouldn't believe it if it was someone else [because], it's weird, isn't it? It's hard to understand because the specialists don't even understand it. They don't know what to do. 'I don't know if it's chronic fatigue syndrome. That's only what one doctor has told me but that was on video call, so how would he know? Something's made me poorly from the vaccine but I don't know what.' Speaking at the end of last year, Tatiana, who is refereeing at the Crucible, reported positive signs in her husband. 'It's been a tough, tough time,' she said. 'It's taken a long time. At the start of this, he would always complain about the way he feels, then he went through a period where he thought people were fed-up of hearing about him being ill and kept it to himself. 'But I knew he wasn't right, even though he wasn't mentioning it. But now he feels better in himself, he can practice longer hours, he can play with the kids more. It's been slow progress but he is definitely getting there. We can see that from his results.'
