Kyren Wilson claims he has a ‘big part’ to play among snooker’s heavy hitters after reflecting on the disappointment of failing to qualify for last month’s World Grand Prix. Ronnie O’Sullivan clinched the tournament in Wilson’s absence, toying with a succession of high-class opponents en route to victory.
Reaching the semi-finals of the German Masters and the quarter-finals of the European Masters are the best two results Wilson has managed to muster this season, with his underwhelming tournament form leaving him outside the picture for the World Grand Prix.
The 32-year-old therefore watched from a distance as O’Sullivan dispatched Junxu Pang, Yuelong Zhou, Gary Wilson and Ding Junhui, before conquering Judd Trump 10-7 in the final.
“It was hard sat at home watching the lads in the Grand Prix,” Wilson admitted in an interview with The Metro. “It’s just not good enough on my behalf to not be in an event like that. I expect to be in an event like that every single year and to not make it, it gave me a bit of fire back in the belly.”
The former world No 4 is intent on putting together a run of results, warning O’Sullivan and the rest of snooker’s current big guns that he will not be content to sit back and watch them dominate for years to come.
“I’ve been working hard, stopped tinkering around with my game and gone back to what I know and what’s given me results in the past,” Wilson added.
“I’d like to find some consistency between now and [the world championship] and then go to Sheffield and try to enjoy it,” he said. “It’d be nice to enjoy it for a change.
“I don’t think age is really an issue for me. I think my experience is helping me. I’ve got a lot of experience now, I’ve won a lot of tournaments, I’ve been around a while, I’ve learned a lot about the game, I’m probably a better all-round player than I’ve ever been.”
