Chinese snooker star Zhao Xintong has discussed his time spent away from the sport
Reigning World Snooker Champion Zhao Xintong has spoken candidly about what he got up to during his 20-month suspension from the sport. Zhao’s path to becoming a world champion is quite the remarkable tale.
The gifted player was lauded as the next great talent in the game when he claimed the 2021 UK Championship. Yet the Chinese star, who was ranked World No. 9 at the time, was dealt a severe blow by a lengthy ban in January 2023 for betting violations as part of a match-fixing scandal, in which ten Chinese players were suspended.
During Zhao’s appearance on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips show, which saw Zhao play a frame with the legendary Scot, he spoke openly about how he continued to practise throughout his time away from the sport, confident that he would one day make his return.
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“I kept playing,” he said. “Every month, every week and I still stayed in Sheffield, keep practising and keep playing with some Chinese players. That was very important for me. I knew I would come back so I needed to keep that [sharpness].”
Zhao will bid to create further history at the 2026 tournament by breaking the so-called ‘Crucible curse’ that has meant no first-time winner has successfully defended the title since the World Championship relocated to the Sheffield venue in 1977.
Hendry claimed the first of his seven world titles in 1990 but was unable to defend it the following year after falling to Steve James in the quarter-finals.
As the pair knocked the balls around, Zhao confirmed that Chinese fans and media frequently discuss the ‘curse’; however, he insisted it would have no bearing on his performance this year, saying: “I play myself, not the opponent.”
Adding to his confidence, Hendry also told Zhao directly that the widely-discussed curse is meaningless. “It’s nonsense. It’s [just] something we can talk about on TV,” Hendry said.
Following his victory over Mark Williams in last year’s final, Zhao made reference to his ban that expired in September 2024. Zhao said: “I had nearly two years not playing in tour competitions and that’s why I said my first target was to get through qualifying to the Crucible.
“I can’t believe I went on to be champion, but I am back now and I want to keep going. I can’t believe it. I am so happy. It feels like a dream right now. I can’t believe it’s come true. I can’t believe what I’ve done this month. It’s been really exciting.”
Zhao’s previous ban did little to discourage Williams from heaping praise upon his opponent. “What a potter he is,” said Williams. “I’m glad I’ll be too old when he’s dominating. I’ve got nothing but admiration for what he’s done.
“He’s come through the qualifiers and bashed Ronnie up, bashed me up. Bashed everyone up. There’s a new superstar of the game and it’s him.” Zhao will kick off his 2026 campaign and title defence against qualifier Liam Highfield on Saturday morning at The Crucible.
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