Ricky Walden is an English professional who reached a career-high world ranking of number six, winning several ranking titles and earning a reputation as one of the most dangerous match players of his era.
Ricky Walden – Career Snapshot
| Date of birth: | 11 November 1982 |
| From: | England |
| Turned professional: | 2001 |
| Highest world ranking: | No. 6 |
| Ranking titles: | 3 |
| World Championship titles: | 0 |
| Triple Crown titles: | 0 |
| Masters appearances: | 5 |
| Maximum 147 breaks: | 1 |
Ricky Walden’s Snooker Career
Ricky Walden first turned professional in 2001 after winning the World Under-21 Championship, but his early seasons on the Main Tour were relatively quiet as he worked to establish himself at the top level.
His breakthrough arrived in 2008 with a stunning run to the Shanghai Masters title. Having come through the qualifying rounds, Walden put together a series of high-profile victories in the televised stages and completed the fairytale by defeating reigning world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the final to lift his first ranking trophy.
Further success followed in China when he won the 2012 Wuxi Classic, and two years later he added the 2014 International Championship to make it three ranking titles. Around this period, Walden established himself as a top 16 regular and reached a career-high world ranking of number six.
Walden also enjoyed his best run at the World Championship in 2013 when he reached the semi-finals at the Crucible Theatre. However, after appearing in additional ranking finals, his momentum was disrupted by a serious back injury that restricted his practice time and contributed to a sharp drop down the rankings.
He gradually rebuilt his form and, during the 2021/22 season, produced a strong spell of results that helped him regain a place inside the top 16 heading into the 2022/23 campaign. While he has rarely challenged for titles into his 40s, Walden remains a solid member of the pro tour.
Ricky Walden’s Ranking Titles
Ricky Walden has won 3 ranking titles during his professional career.
| Year | Tournament |
|---|---|
| 2008 | Shanghai Masters |
| 2012 | Wuxi Classic |
| 2014 | International Championship |
Other Major Titles and Notable Wins
- Six Red World Championship (2008)
- General Cup (2009)
- Minor ranking events (2013 Bluebell Wood Open)
Ricky Walden and the Triple Crown
Ricky Walden has won 0 Triple Crown titles during his professional career, with semi-finals at the World and UK Championships representing his best performances.
- World Championship: 0 titles
- UK Championship: 0 titles
- Masters: 0 titles
SHQ Star Rating: ★★★★
SnookerHQ uses a seven-point star scale based on the scoring values of snooker balls, with a black (7) representing the highest career classification. Ratings are assigned using career achievements, longevity, and historical impact.
Ricky Walden: ★★★★
SHQ Star Rating: How it works →
Related Player Profiles
Featured photo credit: WST