Latest news with #Brecel
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ex-snooker world champion breaks silence on four-month absence to reveal health problems
Luca Brecel's absence from snooker has continued after the Belgian pulled out of a tournament in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, and the 2023 world champion has revealed he has health problems Former world snooker champion has revealed his snooker hiatus is due to health problems. The 30-year-old has not competed since April and has pulled out of a number of tournaments with little clarity as to why until now. Brecel delayed his return to action by at least a further five weeks when he pulled out of the Saudi Arabia Masters. The star was due to face Englishman Sanderson Lam in the third round of competition but his opponent was handed a bye after Brecel cited medical reasons in his decision to withdraw from the tournament. The world no.39 has not been in action since being knocked out of the World Championship at the Crucible in April. Brecel reached the quarter-finals in Sheffiled but fell 13-8 to Judd Trump. Since, the Belgian Bullet has been absent for the first four events of the 2025/26 snooker caleendar. Brecel has missed the season-opening Championship League, and pulled out of qualifiers for both the Wuhan and British Open. It is said Brecel will not be punished for skipping the Saudi ranking tournament. And his health issues would appear to provide ample reason for his absences. Brecel revealed it has proven a frustrating period of his career as he attempted to enlighten his fans. In an Instagram story, he said: "Hi everyone, some of you might have been wondering why I am not participating in snooker events since April. "The truth is that I am suffering with health problems. "Me and my team are doing everything we can to come out of this stronger and better than before. "It's been really frustrating to not be able to travel and compete in tournaments! But... I always choose to be optimistic! Tough times often lead to something great!" Brecel will now be out of action until at least September. Next month could bring the opportunity to play in the Xi'an Grand Prix and Northern Ireland Open qualifiers in Leicester. That will be contingent on Brecel being well enough to challenge in the tournaments however. The 2023 Crucilbe champion has now been out of action for more than three months. That time appears to have seen him enjoy the summer months in his homeland. The Belgian has spent time in the Maasmechelen region during his hiatus from snooker. Brecel has taken the opportunity to enjoy life with his girlfriend. Per his Instagram account, the duo have embraced the chance to enjoy each other's company by riding bikes, eating food and drinking Stella, wine and cocktails.
Wales Online
4 days ago
- Health
- Wales Online
Missing former snooker world champion announces 'truth' about long mystery absence
Missing former snooker world champion announces 'truth' about long mystery absence 'Me and my team are doing everything we can to come out of this stronger and better than before,' said the snooker ace Brecel (left) has opened up on his health struggles Former snooker world champion Luca Brecel has revealed he is "suffering from health problems", having been absent from tournaments for the last four months. The 30-year-old - who won the Snooker World Championship in 2023 - has pulled out of qualifiers for both the Wuhan and British Opens, as well as the Championship League in recent weeks. He last took to the table at this year's World Championship at the Crucible in April, when he was knocked out in the quarter-finals by Judd Trump. Brecel was due to participate at the Saudi Arabia Masters over the weekend but withdrew from his scheduled match on Sunday due to what he said were "medical reasons". He has now opened up on his health struggles in a social media post, as he issued a message to his followers explaining why he had been missing from the circuit for months. In a story posted on his Instagram account, 'The Belgian Bullet' said: "Hi everyone, some of you might have been wondering why I am not participating in snooker events since April. "The truth is that I am suffering with health problems. Me and my team are doing everything we can to come out of this stronger and better than before. Article continues below "It's been really frustrating to not be able to travel and compete in tournaments," he added. "But... I always choose to be optimistic! Tough times often lead to something great!" The exact nature of Brecel's health issues has not been disclosed, but they are clearly serious enough to prevent him from travelling to tournaments from his home in Belgium. His medical setback comes within a difficult period in the Belgian star's career, which has stalled somewhat since he was crowned world champion two years ago. That victory saw him defeat four-time champion Mark Selby in the final and propelled him to number two in the world, but Brecel has since endured a tough couple of years. His performances at tournaments last season saw him slip to 39th in the World Snooker Tour rankings, while his health struggles have meant he has missed the first four events of the new snooker calendar. Article continues below When Brecel will return to action remains to be seen, but his earliest opportunity won't come until early September, with the Xi'an Grand Prix and Northern Ireland Open qualifiers both potential options. It comes after six-time world champion Steve Davis described Brecel as "the most jaw-dropping player" in world snooker after a stunning win over Ding Junhui at the Crucible earlier this year. "We all have our favourites," Davis told the BBC. "But this is the most jaw-dropping player in the game, for me. He is astonishing."
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Luca Brecel reveals ‘I am suffering with health problems' with former world snooker champion missing since April
The Belgian won't have the opportunity to play again until September TAKING A BREAK Luca Brecel reveals 'I am suffering with health problems' with former world snooker champion missing since April FORMER snooker world champion Luca Brecel has announced that his absence from recent tournaments has been a result of health problems. Brecel has been absent from professional snooker in recent weeks, pulling out of qualifiers for both the Wuhan and British Opens, as well as the Championship League. 2 Former snooker world champion Luca Brecel has revealed a battle with health issues is the reason behind his absence from recent snooker events Credit: PA On Sunday he suddenly withdrew from his scheduled match at the Saudi Arabia Masters this weekend, citing 'medical reasons.' Now the Belgian Bullet has taken to social media to address his non-participation in the beginning of this snooker season. In a story posted to his Instagram account, he said: "Hi everyone, some of you might have been wondering why I am not participating in snooker events since April. "The truth is that I am suffering with health problems. 2 Brecel took to Instagram to update fans on his health struggles Credit: Not known, clear with picture desk "Me and my team are doing everything we can to come out of this stronger and better than before. "It's been really frustrating to not be able to travel and compete in tournaments! "But... I always choose to be optimistic! Tough times often lead to something great!" The 30-year-old was set to face Englishman Sanderson Lam in the third round of the Saudi Arabia Masters on Sunday, with Lam now receiving a bye. Details surrounding the nature of his health issues have not been released, but they are serious enough to prevent the snooker maverick from travelling to tournaments. It has been a tough few years for Brecel since he won the World Championship in 2023. BBC commentator spots moment Luca Brecel apologises to Judd Trump during epic World Snooker Championship quarter-final His last contest came in the quarter-finals of April's World Championships at the Crucible, where Brecel put up a valiant effort but fell 13-8 to world number one Judd Trump. His tournament performances last season saw him slip down to 39th in the World Snooker Tour rankings. His health absence has coincided with the first four events of the 2025-26 snooker calendar, meaning his campaign to reignite his past form has got off to a frustrating start. His next opportunity to play won't come until early September, when he could compete at the Xi'an Grand Prix and Northern Ireland Open qualifiers in Leicester. Whether he will be well enough to compete, or whether his health issues will continue to keep him out of the spotlight of the tour, remains to be seen.
Metro
4 days ago
- Sport
- Metro
Luca Brecel speaks out on health problems after Saudi Arabia Masters withdrawal
Former world champion Luca Brecel has spoken out on health problems that have prevented him from playing after withdrawing from the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters. The Belgian Bullet is yet to play this season after pulling out of qualifiers for the Wuhan Open and British Open, while also withdrawing from the Championship League. He was scheduled to play in the big-money Saudi Arabia Masters in Jeddah this weekend, but also withdrew from that event due to medical reasons. The 30-year-old had offered little update as to the reason for his absence, but has now aired his frustrations over the situation. The nature of the health issue has not been revealed, but it has prevented him travelling from his home in Belgium to play in tournaments. Brecel wrote on Instagram on Sunday evening: 'Hi everyone, some of you might have been wondering why I am not participating in snooker events since April. 'The truth is that I am suffering with health problems. 'Me and my team are doing everything we can to come out of this stronger and better than before. 'It's been really frustrating to not be able to travel and compete in tournaments! 'But… I always choose to be optimistic! Tough times often lead to something great!' Brecel last played in a World Championship quarter-final defeat to Judd Trump at the Crucible in April, having played brilliantly in Sheffield. The 2023 world champion was spectacularly good in his second round win over Ding Junhui and played well again in the last eight, only losing to a fantastic display from the world number one. After that 13-8 defeat, he said: 'I'm totally ok with it. Especially the way the game went from 8-8, he just had the momentum and I had no chance to win today, that makes it easy to accept. 'I've had a good tournament, played some good stuff so I'm quite happy. Obviously I wanted to win, get to the one-table set-up, but there's still many more years to come.' Having won the World Championship two years ago, defeat this year saw him slip down the rankings, out of the top 16 and he currently sits at number 39. Brecel was speaking positively about facing the challenge of qualifiers and performing away from the spotlight of the main TV table. 'There's also a good side, less travelling maybe, less extra tournaments so for me it's maybe better,' he said of no longer being in the top 16,' he said in Sheffield in April. 'I enjoy the qualifiers to be honest, I don't need to be on the TV table, I like being on the outside table as well. For me it's all about playing snooker.' Brecel's next opportunity to play, if his health issues allow him to, will come in qualifiers for the Xi'an Grand Prix and Northern Ireland Open in the first week of September in Leicester. Fans will be hoping he is back in action as soon as possible, mainly as they wish him well, but also as one of the sport's most thrilling performers when on form. As Brecel raced into a 7-1 lead over Ding at the Crucible, six-time world champion Steve Davis said on the BBC: 'We all have our favourites. But this is the most jaw-dropping player in the game, for me. He is astonishing. More Trending 'It's just ridiculous isn't it. The crowd absolutely loving it. You've just got to take your hat off to this performance. 'We've seen some great performances at the Crucible. The performance Luca put in to beat Mark Selby in the final two years ago was astonishing. But as a single session of snooker this is as jaw-dropping as I've ever seen. 'We've witnessed the most amazing exhibition of snooker in one session I think I've ever seen at the Crucible. Not in an exhibition match, the World Championship. 'And he's done this to one of the greatest players that's ever held a cue, Ding Junhui. Incredible stuff.' MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan Saudi Arabia Masters draw opens up after shock late withdrawal MORE: Joe O'Connor makes silverware prediction after best ever start to season MORE: The 'world beater' tipped to dethrone Judd Trump at Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters
The Irish Sun
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Former World Snooker champion Luca Brecel pulls out of Saudi Arabia Masters for ‘medical reasons'
LUCA BRECEL will not have another competitive snooker match for at least five weeks after he withdrew from the Saudi Arabia Masters. The former Belgian world champion pulled out of the £2.3million event in Jeddah citing 'medical reasons'. 3 Luca Brecel lifted the world title in 2023 but fell to the Crucible curse the year later Credit: Getty 3 The Belgian is one of the most talented snooker stars but has not played since April 30 Credit: Alamy The 30-year-old had been due to meet Sanderson Lam, 31, in round three on Sunday evening in the Kingdom but the Englishman has now received a bye into the fourth round. The top 16 players, such as Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, will enter the competition in round five on Tuesday. It is believed Brecel will not be fined or punished for skipping the ranking tournament, particularly if he provides acceptable evidence to justify his medical situation. The last time Brecel was involved in competition was back at the Crucible when he lost 13-8 to world No1 Judd Trump in the quarter-finals of the World Championship in Sheffield. READ MORE IN SNOOKER Present day future World's youngest ever snooker star, 14, secures first professional win He did not take part in the low-key, season-opening Championship League. And his failure to show up for a qualifier against Pakistan's Haris Tahir in Leicester on June 22 means he has not qualified for the Wuhan Open, which starts in a fortnight. The earliest opportunity for him to play again will be the English Open in the Essex town of Brentwood, which begins on September 11. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS 3 Brecel was defeated by Judd Trump in the World Championship quarter-finals this year Credit: Getty But it would be no great surprise if he decided not to travel to the UK and remain in his homeland for a few more weeks. Brecel is ranked 39th in the world and is in danger of his career spiralling downwards if he continues to remain inactive. Former world champion Luca Brecel 'cheesed off' and accused of 'making statement' with bizarre gesture at Scottish Open Not that he seems to care too much and he has spent the summer with his new girlfriend back home in the Maasmechelen region. According to his Instagram account, the pair have ridden bikes together, ate good food, drank Stella, wine and cocktails and embraced time away from the baize.
