Exclusive: Kyren Wilson Declares His Ambition to Be a Ruthless Winning Machine in Snooker’s New Era

World snooker champion Kyren Wilson wants to become a ruthless winning machine.

The laser-focused Kettering potter has already cashed in on last season’s Crucible success by winning a memorable hat-trick of titles this season.

He stormed to the inaugural Xi’an Grand Prix title in August and followed up that success by pocketing the Northern Ireland Open crown in October after a blistering run in Belfast.

And not content with that delightful double, the ambitious 33-year-old held his nerve to edge Barry Hawkins in a dramatic final frame decider to win the German Masters earlier this month.

It could easily have been four titles this season as well if he had not lost narrowly to Shaun Murphy in an epic Masters final at London's Ally Pally this season.

“I don’t really count ranking events, I just want to keep winning,” admitted Wilson, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“It’s a lot more difficult now to win titles, it’s a different era to when Ronnie [O’Sullivan] and John [Higgins] were battling each other."

“Nowadays you’re getting really lower-ranked players respectively beating the top players."

“Just look at [China’s] Wu Yize when he got to the English Open final earlier this season, beating the likes of Judd Trump and giving Neil Robertson a scare in the final."

“The young Chinese players, in particular, are so hungry and determined to be successful."

“And there’s just so many more and more coming through, you’ve just got to keep on top of your game, keep working hard and at times put snooker first.”

CHASING THE GREATS

Wilson has now moved on to an impressive nine ranking titles, but he remains some way behind arch-rival and world number one Judd Trump, who has 30 ranking crowns.

But if he continues winning titles at his current rate, then in a few years he could easily be catching up some of the greats of the game in the all-time list of ranking crowns.

“I really want to make being world champion count,” stressed Wilson.

“You’re only going to be a first-time world champion once at the end of the day."

“You have to make the next season count because there’s that air of confidence you have, but I also think people try extra hard to beat you because it’s a good scalp for them."

“You have to make them earn it and put them under it as much as you can."

“Snooker is heading in such a good direction, if you can keep rolling with the confidence and the wins, then the rewards are huge.”

He added: “I’ve had some lovely comments since I became world champion, whether that’s been from doing local exhibitions or just people wishing me well, especially those people that have backed me for such a long time and who are pleased for me."

“When you hear stuff like that it’s really nice because you’re in your own sort of bubble when you’ve won."

“But for me it’s all the stuff that I’ve heard afterwards which is really inspiring.”

Wilson is understandably hungry for more titles, but he is also hungry to play tournaments across the world, especially in Saudi Arabia where the game has attracted a growing and enthusiastic audience.

“It’s exciting there’s lots of new opportunities,” he said. “There’s a big snooker following in Qatar and in Saudi Arabia is already proven to have a good following."

“That Middle East and throughout the UAE is a really important hub for snooker."

“I hope it grows and grows there, I’ve really enjoyed my time there."

“They’re prepared to invest in the game, so it’s a really promising future for snooker.”