Mark Williams launches his bid to win a fourth Crucible crown on Saturday when he takes on Antoni Kowalski on day one of the 2026 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
The Welshman, who reached the final last year, will be bidding to add to his previous World Championship glories from 2000, 2003, and 2018.
Reflecting on how it all began, Williams cast his mind back to his first appearance at the Crucible in 1997, which proved to be a memorable and emotional introduction to the sport’s most famous stage.
“The only thing I can remember is that I played Terry Griffiths. It was his last ever match,” Williams said on BBC Sport.
“I played him there and beat him 10-9 on the black. It was strange, because I was good friends with Terry.”
“His last game there and for me to beat him was a bit strange. It must be 30 years ago now.”
Despite his longevity and continued success, Williams admits that not everything is running smoothly heading into this year’s championship.
The former world number one triumphed at this season’s Xi’an Grand Prix, but in recent months he has been dealing with technical issues that have affected his confidence at the table.
“It’s a bit concerning. Every time I have to put a little bit of power into some shots when I’m screwing back, I’m like a paranoid mess at the minute.”
“I’m thinking that I’m not going to screw it back, and I’m snatching. It’s not great, but I need to practice to get out of it.
“I haven’t put in nowhere near enough work in. When we all say the yips is coming, which is not a great thing, the only way to overcome it is practice.”
Even so, the three-time world champion remains defiant about his prospects and long-term future in the sport.
Far from winding down, Williams insists he still has the hunger to compete, and he even dreams of adding another world title to his collection.
“When I was 45, I said I’d like to see where I am when I’m 50 in the rankings. I’m 51 now and I’m number four or five [in the world].”
“I don’t know. Let’s see where I am when I am 55. I’m not retiring or anything like that – that’s never happening with me, I made that decision years ago.
“If someone said that to win the World Championship, I’d have to run down the M4 from London to Cardiff naked – I’d do anything to get another one.
“The chances for me, Ronnie, and John as the years go by to win it are less likely.
“But last year, Ronnie lost in the semis and I lost in the final. The year before, Higgins lost in the final maybe. We’re still knocking around.
“I’m still fighting along, and I’m still trying. That’s all I can say. I won a tournament this season, and last season I got to the final of the World Championship.
“I am the oldest ranking tournament winner, but it’s only going to be until John Higgins or Ronnie O’Sullivan pops up and wins one in the next 12 months or something.
“But the three of us are still going – we’re still in the top eight in the world. We can’t go on forever, but I’ll certainly keep trying until I can’t try any more.”
Williams plays his first session against Antoni Kowalski on Saturday afternoon before their round-of-32 tie concludes on Sunday evening.
Featured photo credit: WST
