Snooker World Champion Kyren Wilson has opened up about the private encouragement from his family, who are convinced his luck is set to change following an inconsistent beginning to the 2025/26 season.
Family Belief Fuels Wilson's Optimism
Despite a triumphant victory at the Shanghai Masters in August, Wilson's form has been unpredictable. The world number two has faced challenges, including his wife's illness and the process of switching cues, which have impacted his performance at the table.
His best result since Shanghai was a run to the Northern Ireland Open quarter-final last month, where he was ultimately defeated by Jack Lisowski. However, the 33-year-old from Kettering and his family remain hopeful, drawing parallels to the season where he clinched the World Championship despite similarly patchy form leading up to it.
"To be honest, behind the scenes, this is what my family is saying," Wilson told the Metro. "They're saying you've got to keep going through. The tide might turn at the Worlds again."
A Season of Frustrating Near-Misses
Wilson admitted to his own impatience, not wanting to wait until the World Championship for a change in fortunes. He pointed to several "sickening losses" that have defined his season so far.
He reflected on his quarter-final match in Belfast, noting that Jack Lisowski "played great" but also had "an awful lot of luck." Wilson believes that had he won that match, his trajectory could have been entirely different.
Further frustration came from narrow defeats to Zhao Xintong in the Champion of Champions, where a fluke at a crucial moment cost him the match, and a loss to Stephen Maguire at the International Championship, where another fortunate shot changed the game's outcome.
Looking Ahead to the UK Championship
Despite the setbacks, Wilson maintains a philosophical perspective, acknowledging that "it's swings and roundabouts" in the world of professional snooker. He hopes that his luck will balance out at the right moment.
His next opportunity arrives at the UK Championship in York, where he will launch his campaign against Elliot Slessor next Tuesday. A victory would see him face the winner of the opening round encounter between Barry Hawkins and David Lilley, as he seeks to turn his family's belief into a tangible result on the baize.
