World champion Kyren Wilson has opened up about his anxiety struggles in a TV interview.
Wilson told Eurosport he has not been himself during the UK Championship. He thinks it could be down to anxiety struggles and the pressure of being at the peak of his snooker career.
The Kettering potter has enjoyed an unbelievable year of snooker. His dreams came true in May when he was crowned world champion for the first time.
Wilson has held the mantle of world champion well this season. He won the Xi’an Grand Prix in China and the Northern Ireland Open.
He also reached the semi-finals of the UK Championship. But during the tournament Kyren Wilson revealed that he’s been suffering from anxiety struggles and had “major breakdowns” before big events.
“Major Breakdowns”
Speaking to Eurosport, he said: “I don’t feel myself this week. I don’t know why, I’ve felt really anxious.
“I don’t know if it is because I’ve come here and the big Triple Crown events have that bit more feel to them. I’m quite aware this is my time in the game and I want to make the most of it.
“I think most snooker players have it (anxiety) and the key is learning how to tone it down. I’ve got high hopes and I just want to win.
“I’ve had major breakdowns before going places like China. I have been sat looking at a wall thinking ‘what am I doing’.”
The world champion is certainly by no means the only snooker star to talk openly about struggles with anxiety and mental health. Mark Selby said he was considering quitting the game last season because of the mental issues affecting him at the time.
And Ronnie O’Sullivan – possibly the greatest ever player of the game – has talked openly about struggles with the mental side of the game.
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