Snooker Star Luca Brecel Ditches Wuhan Open Qualifier for Pizza and Wine, Surrenders Walkover to Haris Tahir
The 2025-26 snooker season kicked off on Sunday with the Wuhan Open qualifiers, and Belgian star Luca Brecel, 30, was set to face Pakistani Haris Tahir in his opening match. Scheduled for 2:30 pm at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester, Brecel’s match never took place, as the former World Champion was notably absent. Despite being ranked 39th in the World Snooker Tour (WST) standings, the Belgian did not make it to the venue, prompting a 5-0 walkover in favor of his opponent, Haris Tahir. As a result, Tahir advanced into the main draw of the prestigious tournament, which will take place later this year in Wuhan.
The situation is a disappointing start to the season for Brecel, a player known for his unorthodox approach to the game. His social media activity in the hours leading up to the match raised questions about his preparation. On Saturday, he shared pictures with his reported new girlfriend, Shawney Demuyter, and a few hours before the scheduled match, posted images of pizzas and two wine glasses. This suggested that Brecel might not have been fully focused on the tournament, a far cry from the intense focus expected from a top-tier player.
Brecel’s absence also means he will miss the chance to compete in the Wuhan Open, which carries a top prize of around £140,000. It’s a frustrating turn of events for a player who has often defied convention, but this misstep will likely leave fans wondering about his commitment to the season ahead.
