Kyren Wilson Breaks Down After Crushing Defeat: ‘I Wanted the World to Swallow Me Up
Kyren Wilson, the world number two snooker player, opened up about his emotional struggles after a heart-wrenching first-round defeat at the UK Championship, where he was beaten 6-4 by Elliot Slessor. In a candid interview following his loss, the 33-year-old, who had previously won the World Championship in May 2023, admitted that he was on the verge of a mental breakdown during the match. His vulnerability was laid bare when he spoke about his overwhelming feelings after missing a crucial pink ball in the opening frame.
“I wanted the world to swallow me up,” Wilson confessed in a post-match interview, his voice heavy with emotion. “It’s been a nightmare. I just had to sit there and suffer, trying my best, but I knew deep down I couldn’t win.” His words painted a picture of a man who was struggling not only with his game but with a profound sense of helplessness. Tears rolled down his face as he spoke to the press, his emotional state a stark contrast to the confident, determined player seen in previous seasons.
The 2023 season had been a remarkable one for Wilson, with four tournament victories and his world title win. But his form this season has sharply declined. Having lost five of his last seven matches, his struggles have been hard to ignore. His only title this season came at the Shanghai Masters, and he has not advanced past the quarter-finals in any ranking event since. Wilson’s decline in performance, however, is not only related to his game but also to personal challenges.
Earlier this year, he opened up about the toll his family’s struggles had taken on him. His wife, Sophie, had been dealing with significant health issues, and Wilson admitted that being away from home during this difficult time had affected his emotional and mental wellbeing. In a previous interview, he acknowledged that his focus on the tournament was often clouded by the stress of his family’s situation.
“My family has suffered enough with the stress I’ve put them under while trying to find something for this tournament,” Wilson shared, his thoughts now turning to them rather than his career. It’s clear that his priorities have shifted, and the toll of juggling personal and professional pressures has been immense. Despite his valiant efforts on the table, it seems that, at this moment, Kyren Wilson’s mental and emotional health is his primary concern.
As he reflects on the challenges of the past few months, it’s uncertain when or if he will regain the form that made him a world champion just months ago. But what is certain is that Wilson’s honesty about his struggles offers a glimpse into the often unseen side of professional athletes—one that is as fragile as it is resilient.
