Mark Williams laughs off comments about hairline and eyesight during World Snooker Championship

Jack Otway
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 10:12:23 +0000

Rob Walker delivered a brilliantly cheeky introduction for Mark Williams at the World Snooker Championship on Sunday evening, poking fun at the veteran's receding hairline and deteriorating vision.

The MC's witty tribute left the Welsh star visibly amused, scanning the Crucible arena with a bewildered grin as the jokes landed.

Walker quipped: "29 years ago on this very day it was his turn to be the fresh-faced 22-year-old debutante with boyish good looks, a full head of hair and perfect vision. How little has changed in the intervening years!"

The announcer added that Williams "hasn't been to a barber in decades" whilst acknowledging him as "one of our all-time greats."

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Williams resumed his first-round encounter against 22-year-old Kowalski with a comfortable 6-3 advantage, though the Polish debutant briefly narrowed the gap to just two frames.

The three-time world champion soon reasserted his dominance, however, producing impressive contributions of 65 and 115 to pull away decisively.

The Welshman ultimately secured a convincing 10-4 triumph over his young opponent, who was making his maiden appearance at the Sheffield venue.

Victory means Williams, affectionately known as "Willo," advances to face Barry Hawkins in what promises to be an intriguing last-16 encounter at the Crucible.

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Williams holds the distinction of being the oldest competitor in this year's championship, yet the 51-year-old has no intention of stepping away from the sport.

Speaking to the BBC, he declared: "I've already made my mind up, I'm never retiring.

"If I drop off the tour I'm going to play in the amateurs. It is between the others who cracks first, I'm out of that equation."

The Welshman believes he will continue playing longer than his fellow Class of '92 contemporaries Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Higgins, both of whom remain active on the professional circuit.

Williams is a legendary three-time winner of the World Snooker Championship.

His first triumph, whch made him the sport's maiden left-hander to win, came in 2000 before later additions in 2003 and 2018.

Last year, Williams made the final of the tournament.

However, he was eventually beaten 18-12 by China's rising star Zhao Xintong.