Former Crucible king Kyren Wilson claims this year's blue riband event is 'wide open'

It has been a bit of a crazy professional snooker season. From the 17 completed ranking events to date, 15 different players have lifted a trophy, and only one - Zhao Xintong with his Players Series clean sweep - has been a multiple winner.

We’ve also had a record-shattering campaign for maximum 147 break-making with 23 feats of baize perfection - breezing past the previous benchmark of 15 from last season.

Oh, and Ronnie O’Sullivan - who made two 147s within the same session at the Saudi Arabia Masters last August - compiled the highest break ever made in professional competition with a 153 at last month’s World Open.

World number two Wilson’s season has also been a bit of a rollercoaster. Having contended with issues away from the baize and cue troubles, he has failed to reach a single ranking event semi-final, although has claimed two massive invitational accolades at the Shanghai Masters, and his second Triple Crown title at the Masters in London.

“Everyone's going to be knocking on the door” says Wilson

Speaking to World Championship sponsors Midnite, Wilson feels that a big pool of players are in the frame for this year’s Crucible crown.

“This is what I think is going to be so fascinating about this year's World Championships. I think it's wide open. I think there's players that have maybe underperformed throughout the year.

“I think there's going to be many potential qualifiers that could take the tournament by storm.

“And then there's obviously the all-time greats, you know, people like John Higgins, who I recently played in the Masters final, who's bang on form.

“Mark Williams has just won, Ronnie's just got to the final in China.

“So I feel like everyone's going to be knocking on the door and it's going to be a real competitive tournament.”

Wilson: Recent form doesn’t necessarily matter at the Crucible

Two years ago when Wilson became world champion, his finest day in the sport came off the back of a disappointing campaign during which he made only one semi-final in all competitions, and didn’t qualify for any of the three Players Series events.

Last year as the defending champion, Wilson became the latest victim of the ‘Crucible Curse’ as he went out on the opening day despite having enjoyed an incredible term in winning four ranking titles.

The World Championship stands alone when it comes to its gruelling multi-session format, and what you’ve achieved - or not - over the past few months doesn’t necessarily equate to how you’ll perform at the cauldron-like Crucible.

It is a thesis that Wilson agrees with: “I feel like I can do it kind of any way, you know. I've gone into a tournament before where I've been all guns blazing and had a fantastic form guide going into it and I bombed out very early.

“I've also gone into it where I've had no form to show, but gone on to win it or or get to a semis or a final.

“So yeah, I think it sort of stands on its own. I don't think form goes into the World Championships. I think certain players are suited to the longer formats, adapting to the venue, and I'd like to think I'm one of those.”

Heading into this year’s staging, there are parallels to Wilson’s run-in in 2024 having not qualified for the recent Players or Tour Championship events. And the 10-time ranking event winner feels he is in a decent place as he aims to join an exclusive club of multiple-time world champions:

“I think my stats would say that, you know, OK in terms of ranking tournaments, I've not had the best of seasons, but I picked up a brand new cue, had a month to play with it and won the Masters” said the 34-year-old.

“So I've had a lot of problems to try and get over and hurdles to deal with and to still come out the other side with two tournaments to my name, and two big tournaments at that.

“I'm still happy but there's still loads of room for improvement, which is exciting.

“To try and be a two-time world champion would be awesome.”

Wilson is scheduled to play and complete his first round match at the 2026 World Snooker Championship on Monday 20th April, with morning (10:00BST) and evening (19:00BST) engagements.

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