World Champion Zhao Xintong admits to being 'thankful' for his snooker ban in revealing documentary

It is nearly a year on from when Zhao created history in becoming the first player from Asia to win the world professional snooker championship.

And heading into the latest edition of snooker’s blue riband event, Chinese cueman Zhao is the favourite to wear the Crucible crown again following a stunning few months on the professional circuit that have seen him complete an unprecedented seasonal clean sweep of Players Series events.

During a recent trip back to his homeland whilst playing in the World Open, Zhao sat down for a short documentary with People's Daily - that has been released on YouTube - talking about his career.

Zhao ‘thankful’ for his snooker ban

Zhao first turned professional in 2016 but understandably found the step up to the big time difficult as he was relegated after his first stint.

But he returned immediately through the Q School and started to rise the ranks with his first ranking event semi-final appearance coming in 2018.

His big breakthrough came when he won the 2021 UK Championship, and he followed up that success just weeks later with his second ranking title at the German Masters.

Propelled up into the world’s top eight rankings, everything was looking rosy for Zhao, but that all came to a grinding halt when he was suspended and later banned from the sport during the 2022/23 season for his role in the Chinese match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport. Zhao was never found to have actually fixed any games, though.

Explaining what he did during his ban, Zhao said: "I kept practicing the whole time. For six or seven months I went back to Sheffield and trained at a high competitive level. I was waiting for the day of return. So I never let my skills slip.”

"I deemed it as a chance for me to reflect and reset.

"I remember my mum asked me if I still like to play snooker. I didn't hesitate for a second. I just said I only play snooker and that is all I want to do.

"She also asked me if I was worried that my results might not improve in the future or whatever. I said 'no, not at all'. I told her I believe I would get better. I remember I said it very confidently.

"Thanks for those 600 days for changing me a lot, making me mature in every aspect.”

“No more second guessing” Zhao’s parents were supportive of his dream

During the documentary, Zhao spoke passionately about his influences, the impact other top stars have had, and the unwavering support of his parents.

Ding Junhui’s historic victory at the 2005 China Open in Beijing turned him into an instant national hero. A red letter day for the sport in the Far East, many attribute Ding’s initial triumph to the snooker boom we’ve seen in and from China over the past two decades.

This was certainly the case with Zhao, who was inspired by his compatriot’s memorable win over seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry in the final - the same day as Zhao’s birthday.

He reminisced saying: "I remember it clearly. After dinner with my family, I watched him win on TV. That's when billiards took root in my heart. I found the sport incredibly appealing.

“Without him, there wouldn't be our generation of Chinese snooker players.

“It was his meritorious successes that made Chinese snooker what it is today, and made snooker known to more Chinese people, and gave us more opportunities to shine.”

Having watched his father play snooker, Zhao started playing at around 7, 8 years old. It wasn’t long before he decided that he wanted to pursue it as his profession, and he received great support from his parents.

"It was when I finished primary school, at the age of 12. My parents asked me if I wanted to keep playing snooker or continue studying. They took me to meet many national-level coaches at the time to see if I could really make it in this field.

“Later, my mom asked about my dream after college, I said I still wanted to play snooker. After that, she said ‘No more second-guessing, let him keep playing.’

"Words just can't describe how much my parents have supported me.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s mentorship, with help going above and beyond

Very early on from stationing himself in the UK when he turned professional, Zhao sparked up a relationship with seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan - a friendship that has continued to blossom down the years.

His idol having watched him as he grew up, Zhao revealed the support and guidance that the record 41-time ranking event winner has provided him.

"Ronnie also offered me great help. Since we met when I was 16 or 17, he's always given me match advice.

"Once I was practicing in Sheffield, he just told me that he was free those days and could come practice with me, and there he came. I couldn't believe he would drive all the way from London just for this. We practiced and had meals together every day” said the 29-year-old current Crucible king.

“Another impressive moment was when he texted me and invited me to an afternoon tea. When we got there, he took out his iPad, played the video of my match, and went through every mistake I made, pointing out everything I could improve.

“I never expected that he would put in so much effort for me.”

En route to his world championship victory, Zhao defeated O’Sullivan 17-7 in the semi-finals with a session to spare.

The Chinese admitted to apologising to O’Sullivan shortly after the match for defeating him, and that he wished ‘The Rocket’ would win his eighth world title.

Zhao will attempt to break the ‘Crucible Curse’ in a few weeks’ time - no first-time Crucible champion has successfully defended the title.

He will play and complete his first round match against a qualifier on Saturday 18th April, the opening day at the Crucible.