From Heartache to Glory: Chris Wakelin Overcomes Family Crisis and Illness to Claim Scottish Open Title
Chris Wakelin’s victory at the Scottish Open came with an emotional backdrop, as he nearly pulled out of the tournament due to personal challenges. The 33-year-old snooker star had been struggling with pneumonia in the week leading up to the event, but his biggest concern was his one-year-old daughter, Mia. On the second day of the tournament, Mia fell seriously ill and was rushed to the hospital. Wakelin, alongside his fiancée, Lucy, was understandably worried, but thankfully, Mia’s condition stabilized after treatment, and they were soon able to return to their hotel.
Despite these emotional and physical hurdles, Wakelin pushed forward with only one goal in mind: to simply show up and compete. He said that after such a challenging few weeks, he didn’t expect much from the tournament, but his determination to be present was enough.
What followed was a fairytale turn of events. Wakelin defeated top players like Anthony McGill, Yuelong Zhou, and Matthew Selt to reach the final against Chang Bingyu. In the final, he put on an incredible performance, winning eight consecutive frames to secure a dominant 9-2 victory and claim his second-ever ranking title, along with a £100,000 prize.
In an emotional interview after his win, Wakelin reflected on how close he came to pulling out of the tournament. He said, “We went from nearly pulling out to standing here as champions.” His gratitude was clear as he shared that he had barely slept the night before the final, imagining how special it would be to lift the trophy with his family by his side. The victory was not just a sporting achievement, but a deeply personal one, as he celebrated the triumph with Lucy and Mia, creating memories he would cherish forever.
