Q&A WITH KYREN WILSON AHEAD OF SNOOKER'S CHAMPIONSHIP LEAGUE

On being in lockdown
It’s been challenging in some respects as my son had just started school and was getting into the swing of things, enjoying his time, and the same for my youngest boy who had just settled into nursery – to take them both out of school in important stages in their life and put them in a confined space together for such a long time has been difficult for them. But on the other hand, I’ve had three amazing months watching my children grow up which I’ve never had before. I’ve really felt I’ve got to know them over this time.

Has this time in lockdown made you hungrier for success?
The lockdown period has definitely made me hungrier for success. When I first fell off the tour when I was 17 or 18 years old, I completely took it for granted. I didn’t realise how much I loved my job, how much I loved the game and how lucky I was to be earning the money, seeing the different countries that I was going to see. I worked behind the bar at my local snooker club and two years later realised how much I loved and missed the sport so I got back into it. Before this lockdown, I felt like I was going through a similar spell where I wasn’t appreciating it, probably taking it for granted but when something is taken away from you I wanted to do it any more. In hindsight, it’s been a blessing in disguise for me personally.

Is it good to be back training?
I’ve spent most of my time with my family and trying to exercise and going on nice, long walks each day. My snooker club have kindly let me back in to practice and prepare for the upcoming tournaments. I have been in the last 10 days practising every day. My game is slowly getting back to a fairly good standard. I’m enjoying my practise because I have had so long off and I am looking forward to playing again.

On the season so far
How do you assess your form so far this season?
My form of late has been really good. Since January I’ve reached quarter-finals, semi-finals, final of the Welsh Open, final of the Gibraltar Open, scored a 147 and beaten numerous top players. I think that speaks volumes for where I was heading. It’s just the standard of snooker that is stopping me from winning titles. I’m coming up against fantastic players that have played really well to beat me. I have felt like the start of the season my head just wasn’t in it. I’ve been playing catch up ever since and I am raring to keep on going because I feel like my game is there.

On the Championship League
What are your thoughts on coming back to playing again?
It’s going to be fantastic to be back playing competitive snooker. The World Championship is still a long way away so it’s nice to come back to practice and know you have a tournament coming back soon. That’s always an important thing for me, I have feel I need to have something to aim for. It’s going to be tough, if you lose the first frame then you’ll do well to get a draw – I think you’ll have to get off to a fast start. I have a tough group, they are all good players but I am just looking forward to playing again.

Thoughts on the format of the Championship League?
I think it’s going to be really fascinating for people to watch. People are craving live sport and we’re one of the first sports to be back. Four frames means it will be very cut-throat. The first frame is going to be huge – if you lose it, you are going to have win three in a row to get the win. I’m sure some people will feel like they have been robbed of a win if it’s a draw because they’ll want to play a decider. But then others will think it’s something new.

Do you see this tournament as a stepping-stone to the World Championship or a tournament in its own right?
It’s important match practice, that’s the best way to view it. But I think it is going to be exciting, we know it is going to be on Eurosport across Europe outside of the UK and just knowing that they will be there will bring a lot more appeal to the tournament because we are used to the Championship League being streamed. I’m not going to be too hard on myself. It’s four frames, it’s going to be difficult. But it’s just great to get the cue out and start playing matches again. It’s going to be cut-throat, people are going to be able to see the start of a match and the end of a match quickly, sometimes it can drag on and you get involved in a big, long lengthy match – you won’t have that in this format so I’m sure people will get stuck into it.

You have been knocking on the door at the World Championship over the last few years – what have you got to do to get to the next stage?
I had a semi-final against John Higgins a few years ago now and he was just so difficult to beat, completely used every ounce of his experience on that occasion. I learnt a lot from that and I think it will stand me in very good stead for the future at the Crucible. I’m really craving the chance to get back to that position.

On the future
You are in the top 10 now, what is your ambition?
I want to get to the very top. I want to retire from the game and be able to say to my kids that I was one of the best that has ever played. That’s what inspire me to play the game. I am nowhere near that at the moment but the good thing for me at the moment is that I have plenty of time on my side and there is going to be lots more opportunities all-round the world. I’ve just got to keep putting myself in those positions to get there.

What players do you aspire to be like?
I have learnt bits of other professionals and tried to model myself off other players but I also think it’s very important to be unique, be your own person and I like the thought of someone trying to copy what I have done. I don’t like to think of me copying someone else. That’s something me and my coach have always worked on – have your own unique stamp and be a good ambassador for the game as well.

Kyren Wilson will be playing at the Championship League which runs from 1-11 June 2020 live and exclusively on Eurosport across Europe (excluding UK).