Kyren Wilson begins the defence of his world snooker title on Saturday at the Crucible, but his path to glory was paved with family health crises and financial hardship. The 2024 champion reflects on the emotional backstory to his victory, which came amid major health concerns for his family.
Wilson’s father has multiple sclerosis, his mother battled breast cancer, his wife suffered a silent stroke, and his youngest son had a suspected brain tumour. The world champion says his family’s support was crucial: “It’s not just me that’s world champion. It’s my whole family.”
Before his breakthrough, Wilson worked as a barman at Barratts Snooker Club in Northampton after losing his tour place in 2011. He lived off his girlfriend’s wage and needed the bar work to survive. “I was too raw and had to rebuild my game,” he admits.
His parents remortgaged their house multiple times to fund his career. Wilson recalls the day his father was diagnosed with MS: “He went upstairs and he was inconsolable. I didn’t realise the impact it would have.”
In 2015, Wilson was almost broke when he reached the Shanghai Masters. He considered leaving early to attend his father’s 50th birthday party in Tenerife, but after winning the quarter-final against Ding Junhui, he realised the trophy was the best present he could give. He went on to beat Mark Allen and Judd Trump to win the title.
Wilson now begins his title defence against Lei Peifan, carrying the weight of his family’s sacrifices. “I still believed in myself but it was quite soul-destroying out there,” he says.
