Luca Brecel has surprised many with the admission that he hasn’t practiced much ahead of this year’s World Snooker Championship.
Speaking after his thrilling 10-9 defeat of Ricky Walden on Sunday night, the Belgian Bullet revealed a change of course that he implemented ahead of his tilt at world glory in Sheffield.
Brecel had previously never won a match at the Crucible Theatre, losing all five of his first-round ties before 2023.
But after closing out his maiden victory with a break of 84, this season’s Championship League ranking event winner revealed that a different approach aided his progress.
“The first time I was here I was so nervous,” ninth seed Luca Brecel said in the Eurosport studio.
“I wasn’t in this game, it was just like practice. I haven’t really practiced for this tournament, I’ve been playing darts most of the time.”
“I think I’ve maybe had only 15 minutes of practice in three weeks, I think I’ve done quite well to win this game.
“Many people ask me why – I don’t know. I’m at home, I’ve got a good life. I do so many things in my life that I almost forget to play snooker.
“Also I just wanted to do something different this year, because I’ve lost all my games here. I was like, I need something to motivate me to play well.
“I was like, if I don’t practice and I win, that will be a challenge for me.”
Next up for the 28 year-old when he competes in the last 16 for the first time in his career will be either Mark Williams or Jimmy Robertson.
Three-time world champion Williams finds himself in a spot of bother heading into his second session on Monday.
The Welshman is 5-4 down to Robertson, who like Brecel is looking for a first Crucible success in what is his fifth time participating at the venue stages.
Day three will also see the conclusion of the keenly contested battle between Ding Junhui and Hossein Vafaei, with the Chinese 16th seed currently 5-4 in front.
Mark Allen, John Higgins, and Robert Milkins are the seeded contenders additionally entering the fray.
For the full World Snooker Championship draw, results, live scores, and session times, click here.
Featured photo credit: WST