World Snooker Championship 2024: Jak Jones pays tribute to his parents after memorable Crucible win

A jubilant Jak Jones spoke to the media following his 13-9 victory over Judd Trump at the Crucible Theatre on Wednesday to secure his first world championship semi-final appearance.

• Match report here

A quarter-finalist in snooker’s blue riband event last year, the 30-year-old qualifier has already gone one step further this time and will perform within the famous one-table set-up against either Ronnie O’Sullivan or Stuart Bingham.

However, away from the attention and big money rewards of the sport’s grandest stage, times have been very tough for Jones on the professional circuit in the past.

He was relegated from the top flight three times; throughout the 2013/14 season he suffered 16 out of 16 match defeats on tour, however, the former European under-19 and amateur champion has remained on the pro circuit since requalifying through Q-School in 2018.

Speaking to BBC Sport after his win, world number 44 Jones said: "I don't know how I got it done. Like Judd said, he struggled for pretty much the whole match.

"I thought he struggled in the first mini-session - and I took advantage. I felt quite calm. He started like typical Judd (referencing Trump’s century break in frame one), but that motivated me. I went 3-1 up and, after that, I just felt he wasn't the same at all.

Discussing where he is now - one win away from the biggest fixture in snooker - Jones saluted his parents and the sacrifices they made for him, and how that has perhaps turned him into a determined character on the baize: “My parents struggled by to pay for everything for me, it was a lot of pressure as a kid. I couldn't deal with it.

“Maybe that shows in the way I play now, I don't give up because of all the struggles I've had. It's absolutely down to my parents, it's the reason I've continued going because they've supported me so much."