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Metro
21-04-2025
- Sport
- Metro
Daniel Wells proud of major lifestyle change ahead of Crucible debut
Daniel Wells is finally making his debut at the Crucible at the 16th time of asking and feels quitting alcohol has helped him achieve the dream of stepping out at the famous theatre. The 36-year-old first turned professional in 2008 but has been on and off the tour since then as he strives to fulfil the great potential he showed as a junior. The Welshman has been to three ranking semi-finals, most recently this season at the Xi'an Grand Prix and the steady progress has now brought him to the hallowed ground of the Crucible thanks to a 10-9 win over Gary Wilson in his final qualifier. Hard work and dedication on the practice table has been behind some good results this season so far, but as has discipline away from the baize, turning away from alcohol. Wells felt he was relying on drink too much in an attempt to deal with the pressures of the professional tour and decided enough was enough. 'I have quit alcohol. Seven months now without a drink,' Wells said after coming through qualifying. 'Just my lifestyle, probably drinking too much, dealing with the pressure of snooker. 'I turned to it – the day-to-day pressures of practice. Like a coping mechanism. But it is not the best way to cope with it. I am really proud of myself. I feel better. 'There were a couple of bad experiences. I was drinking when I shouldn't have been. Turning up to some tournaments, having a few drinks the night before to try and deal with the pressure. But it got to a bad habit. Drinking when I didn't want to be drinking really. 'My sponsor came on board and put me in touch with a therapist. That has been massive as well, dealing with my own personality and stuff, dealing with the pressures of the game.' Wells reckons the life of a snooker player can bring with it addictive tendencies, not least because the game is so tough that you have to be addicted to it to keep on playing. 'I think a lot of snooker players have addictive personalities,' he said. 'You have got to be addictive to keep coming back, to the brain damage that is the game really. Any habit can form and I got myself into a bad habit. Luckily I have broken the habit. 'It's a couple of cans, watching the football. A good day's practice, have a couple of cans. A bad day's practice, have a couple of cans. But you know, you have got a bit of an issue. 'It's a tough game to deal with mentally. I know there are a number of players who go through similar things with different addictions and it is a tough gig. We can only try our best.' Wells has had a long and winding journey back to the Crucible having played an exhibition there when he was 18 thanks to winning the inaugural Paul Hunter Scholarship, which secured him the chance to practice alongside professionals in Sheffield. 'I played an exhibition there and it felt like I was going to be there soon. I lost 10-9 in my first season to try and qualify and the wheels completely fell off,' he said. 'I thought everything was going in the direction but fell off tour during Covid and I was cleaning for my mother. Cleaning toilets for my mother. It has been a bit of a rough ride.' It is a tough task on debut for Wells as he takes on Masters champion Shaun Murphy in the first round, but he is confident and knows his best can do damage. 'I believe in myself. I believe in my game,' he said. 'I am not going there just to say that I played at the Crucible. I am going there to win. 'There will be nerves but I have to trust my technique. I have a steady all-round game and can be a game for anyone. I will give it 100 per cent. I don't see myself in any match that I can't win.' More Trending Murphy knows Wells presents a challenge, but is hoping to make the most of the fact that the nerves will be jangling on debut. 'Daniel had a great junior career. I think he's played here before many moons ago, despite now making his debut,' said Murphy. 'A really good player, very strong player. Somebody I know quite well away from snooker, got a lot of respect for him, he's a really nice lad. 'It's 20-odd years since I made my debut, but I can still remember who nervous I was. He'll be uncomfortable and it's my job to make him as uncomfortable as I possibly can.' MORE: Jak Jones makes huge Zhao Xintong claim after Crucible defeat to returning star MORE: Ronnie O'Sullivan reacts to Neil Robertson's shock World Snooker Championship exit MORE: Dave Gilbert 'nearly didn't bother' but now fancies World Championship challenge
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Wilson edges Trump to win Players Championship
World champion Kyren Wilson won his first Players Championship title by beating world number one Judd Trump 10-9 in a thrilling final. With both playing aggressively, the two best players in the world on current form were tied at 4-4 at the interval in Telford. Trump claimed a scrappy ninth frame after the resumption before Wilson reeled off the next four to seemingly take control. But UK champion Trump won four of the next five frames, making the only century break of the match in the 18th to force a decider. Amid tense exchanges, Trump missed a long red to the corner and Wilson pounced to claim his fourth ranking title of the season, with three of those victories coming against Trump. He had previously beaten Trump in the Xi'an Grand Prix and the Northern Ireland Open finals in 2024. "It's so special to lift trophies," said Wilson. "It was mentioned this week that if I won, I would go level with the legend Jimmy White on 10 ranking titles. For me growing up, watching a legend like Jimmy, to be level with him is a dream come true." Wilson was playing in his first Players Championship final, while Trump was aiming for his third title in this event, having last won in 2019-20. Trump set the record for the most ranking titles in a season that term, with six wins. Wilson has two ranking tournaments remaining this campaign to equal that record - the Tour Championship in Manchester, starting on 31 March, before he attempts to defend his world title in Sheffield, beginning on 19 April. "We're a couple away now from the World Championship," added Wilson. "It gives me a bit of confidence going into that." Former world champion Trump has won three events himself this term, two of them ranking titles, and has earned the most prize money in a single campaign. The pair will be among the favourites for the 2025 World Championship, alongside Masters champion Shaun Murphy and four-time winner Mark Selby. Seven-time winner Ronnie O'Sullivan is not scheduled to play again until the World Championship after withdrawing from several events for medical reasons meant he did not qualify for the Players Championship or Tour Championship.
BBC News
23-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Wilson edges Trump to win Players Championship
World champion Kyren Wilson won his first Players Championship title by beating world number one Judd Trump 10-9 in a thrilling both playing aggressively, the two best players in the world on current form were tied at 4-4 at the interval in claimed a scrappy ninth frame after the resumption before Wilson reeled off the next four to seemingly take UK champion Trump won four of the next five frames, making the only century break of the match in the 18th to force a tense exchanges, Trump missed a long red to the corner and Wilson pounced to claim his fourth ranking title of the season, with three of those victories coming against Trump. He had previously beaten Trump in the Xi'an Grand Prix and the Northern Ireland Open finals in was playing in his first Players Championship final, while Trump was aiming for his third title in this event, having last won in set the record for the most ranking titles in a season that term, with six has two ranking tournaments remaining this campaign to equal that record - the Tour Championship in Manchester, starting on 31 March, before he attempts to defend his world title in Sheffield, beginning on 19 world champion Trump has won three events himself this term, two of them ranking titles, and has earned the most prize money in a single pair will be among the favourites for the 2025 World Championship, alongside Masters champion Shaun Murphy and four-time winner Mark winner Ronnie O'Sullivan is not scheduled to play again until the World Championship after withdrawing from several events for medical reasons meant he did not qualify for the Players Championship or Tour Championship.
