snooker
Dethroned snooker champion Brecel longs for a break
Defending champion Luca Brecel was eliminated from the Snooker World Championships. photo
© Richard Sellers/PA Wire/dpa
This is unexpected: defending champion Brecel immediately fails at the Snooker World Cup. The fact that he will attract less attention to himself in the future is a relief for him.
After his surprising first round exit in Sheffield, he looked dethroned Snooker world champion Luca Brecel exhausted – and somewhat relieved that it’s over.
“I’m tired. It wasn’t easy after I was sick. Dave played well, he’s a fantastic player,” said the Belgian late on Saturday evening about the 9:10 against Englishman David Gilbert. Brecel, who won the title for the first time in the Crucible Theater last year, had already led 9:6 and missed numerous chances to win in the final phase of the game.
He didn’t really get into the game at all and didn’t feel well. “I was tired, but that’s no excuse. Everyone gets sick sometimes,” said 29-year-old Brecel. During the break after the end of the season he will first work on his fitness. “Snooker is number two behind that. I hope to come back stronger.”
Brecel provided insights into his mental life and what it felt like to be a world champion since May 2023. “It’s been a good year, but I’m looking forward to not competing as world snooker champion for another year. I don’t like all this attention,” said the Belgian. “It’s just a game. Why should you be happy when you win and sad when you lose?”