The World Championship is underway, and all eyes are on Zhao Xintong – the reigning champion who unexpectedly stormed to victory last year, becoming China’s first ever world snooker champion.
But can he repeat the feat? The question echoes throughout the Crucible, and the snooker world is buzzing with speculation about whether a new era of dominance is dawning.
John Higgins, a veteran of the game, believes Zhao possesses a rare quality. “He is one special player,” Higgins stated, “with a greater chance than most to truly dominate.” He doesn’t foresee another player achieving the same level of control as Steve Davis or Stephen Hendry, but sees Zhao potentially matching the recent success of Judd Trump.
Mark Selby acknowledges Zhao’s current form as “phenomenal,” but cautions against underestimating the unique pressures of the Crucible. The “Crucible curse” – the difficulty of back-to-back victories – looms large, a challenge even the greatest champions have failed to overcome.
Neil Robertson offers a broader perspective, suggesting the landscape of professional snooker is shifting. The dominance of legends like Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams, and Higgins is waning, creating more opportunities for a new generation to rise.
However, Robertson tempers expectations, believing the overall strength of the tour has increased dramatically. First-round matches now feature opponents capable of stringing together multiple centuries, making any path to victory incredibly challenging.
He doesn’t anticipate a return to the era of Hendry-like dominance, where a single player could claim four, five, or even six world titles in a short span. The competition is simply too fierce.
Zhao himself remains remarkably grounded, dismissing any notion of being the best player in the world. He readily acknowledges the strength of his rivals, naming Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson, along with others in the top 16, as superior players.
He views himself as a student of the game, still learning and striving for improvement. This humility is a striking contrast to the pressure he faces as the defending champion.
A turning point in Zhao’s season came with his victory at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. That win, he says, instilled a newfound confidence, helping him overcome the immense pressure that had previously hindered his performance, particularly when playing in China.
“Before, I didn’t know how to play with the very big pressure,” Zhao admitted. “Everybody in China keeps eyes on me… But now I try to learn how to control myself.”
Despite his progress, Zhao acknowledges the nerves are beginning to surface as he prepares to defend his title. He feels the weight of expectation, admitting that just a week ago, the pressure didn’t seem so significant.
Now, on the eve of his first match as defending champion at the Crucible, a sense of anxiety is creeping in. He faces Liam Highfield on Saturday, a match that will reveal whether he can conquer his nerves and continue his remarkable journey.
