Snooker world champion Kyren Wilson has opened up on the “toxic” abuse he’s faced on social media.
The Warrior lifted the World Championship in Sheffield in May and has gone on to enjoy a superb season – winning three ranking titles as he gears up for a return to the Crucible to defend his crown. But the 33-year-old has faced plenty of criticism online, especially after his Masters defeat to Shaun Murphy when he called the Magician – nine years his senior – “an old man.”
Speaking about the stick on Eurosport, Wilson said: “The support has been amazing. But I’ve found social media a little bit toxic lately, I must admit. It gives people a platform that they can make comments when they are not clued up on what they are talking about. But that’s part and parcel of being successful. The more successful I’m being, the more it comes.
“I’d rather it that way around if it means that I’m being successful. If you’re not doing too well and you’re not receiving any comments then who wants that? It’s part and parcel of sport nowadays and it’s life. I’ll get over it.” And he says he’s pleased to be competing at the Welsh Open where he’s always felt appreciated by the crowd.
Wilson continued: “This is one my favourite tournaments, the Welsh Open, even when it was in different venues in Cardiff, Newport and Llandudno. It’s a long-standing tournament, the whole Betvictor thing has made it more exciting to watch and to play in. Judd Trump has hogged the Betvictor bonus (the leading money winner across this season’s Home Nations series) most of the year, so it’s nice that he’s given us all a chance and has not entered this one.
Eurosport pundit Neal Foulds added: “He has been getting a bit of stick, but that is what great champions ar eup against over the years. The Steve Davis era or Stephen Hendry era of being great champions, he’s not quite on that level yet because they completely dominated the game, but the more successful you are the more people want to have a pop at you.
“What is he doing wrong? He’s winning. People didn’t necessarily like all of what he said after he lost in that Masters final. But I thought that it was absolutely fine.”