Kyren Wilson spoke about his personal life and his wife Sophie’s health issues after being knocked out of the Snooker World Championship by Mark Allen 13-9 on Saturday
Kyren Wilson admitted that his form at the snooker table had been impacted by difficulties in his personal life after exiting the World Championship. The 2024 champion was beaten 13-9 by Mark Allen at the Crucible on Saturday to leave the tournament.
Wilson beat youngster Stan Moody in the first round but could not get past Allen, who won four of the six frames on Saturday to reach the last eight for a sixth time. The 34-year-old has struggled for form this season, failing to win any ranking titles.
But despite the disappointment at the Crucible, Wilson remains proud of what he’s achieved, especially given that his wife, Sophie Lauren, was due to undergo surgery as the World Championship began, having previously suffered a stroke and been diagnosed with epilepsy.
“To have so many different variables going on, I’m proud that I managed to win two tournaments off the back of that. It’s just a testament to what a winner I am really,” he told SportsBoom.
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“My wife has obviously been through the mill a bit, I haven’t seen her for over a week now. I’m just going to spend a bit of time with my wife, my kids. I miss my dog. Once I do settle down, you’ll see the best version of me again.”
While his form hasn’t been up to his usual high standards in ranking tournaments, Wilson has pocketed £210,000 by winning the Shanghai Masters and £350,000 from triumphing at The Masters. Nevertheless, he looks set to drop from world No.2 to No.6 when the action in Sheffield concludes.
“I felt I could win the world championships because I feel like I’ve got that determination and that all round game, but I knew it was gonna be a struggle,” he said.
“I knew I was never gonna win it easily. Like when I won it in 2024, I felt like I kind of just coasted through it. I really played strong snooker right from the off.
“Round one against Stan [Moody] was tough. Session one against Mark [Allen] was tough. It’s just been a real tough outing for me for this tournament.”
He was happy to come unstuck against Allen, the 2009 and 2023 semi-finalist who is searching for his first title at the World Championship. “Mark is one who I’m always rooting for, he is a great lad, down to earth,” Wilson added.
“I said to him ‘you’ve got every chance of winning it’. We all know what a battler he is and I would love to see him win it.”
