**Mark Williams Considers His Future Amid Eye Troubles: Career Hangs in the Balance**
Welsh snooker legend Mark Williams has openly admitted he is facing a difficult crossroads in his career, as he deliberates whether to proceed with surgery to address a pressing issue with his eyesight. The 50-year-old, currently contesting the semi-finals of the Snooker World Championships at Sheffield’s iconic Crucible Theatre, revealed that worsening vision is threatening to cut short his remarkable run in the sport.
Williams, who is locked in a tense 8-8 battle with Judd Trump as the semi-final heads towards its conclusion, has spoken candidly about the challenge his deteriorating eyesight poses. He disclosed earlier this year that, over the past six months, his vision has “completely gone,” raising significant doubts about his ability to perform at the highest level.
The three-time world champion had been considering undergoing lens replacement surgery, a procedure that could potentially restore some clarity to his vision. However, after conducting his own research and speaking with peers who have experienced the operation, Williams now finds himself apprehensive about taking such a step. In particular, he referenced an honest discussion with fellow professional Anthony Hamilton, who warned him of the potential drawbacks.
“I have been reading up and talking to people who have had it done and, to be honest, it is putting me off a bit,” Williams explained. “I’ve got a big decision to make.” He went on to detail the concerns raised by Hamilton, noting, “A couple of people I have spoken to, especially Anthony Hamilton at length, have said it is no good under the lights and it has ruined his career.”
Williams’ comments underscore the dilemma facing athletes who struggle with medical conditions in sports that demand precision and razor-sharp vision. For snooker players, the quality of their eyesight is often the difference between glory and defeat. The sobering feedback from peers appears to have weighed heavily on Williams’ mind, placing him under considerable pressure as he balances health concerns with his passion for competing.
After the World Championships conclude, Williams says that he will take further time to contemplate his options. “After this is finished, it is something I am going to have to look more into,” he added.
Attempting to find a workaround, Williams had experimented with contact lenses during competitive play but ultimately decided against using them following consultations with his coach, Lee Walker. The experiment did not deliver the improvement he had hoped for, intensifying the spotlight on his future in snooker.
Despite his ongoing personal struggles, Williams remains focused on the immediate challenge. Should he triumph over Judd Trump, a formidable test awaits in the final: a meeting with China’s Zhao Xintong. Zhao earned his place in the final with a victory over snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan, and was quick to heap praise on O’Sullivan, observing, “I need to say thank you to Ronnie because he has helped me a lot before. He’s my idol.”
Reflecting on his own situation, Williams admitted the uncertainty remains unresolved, asking, “I am still playing all right. What do you do? Do I keep playing blurry? I don’t know.”
Whatever happens in Sheffield, Williams’ career stands at a pivotal moment. For the snooker world, his continued participation delivers both inspiration and intrigue, as fans and fellow professionals alike wait to see how he confronts this deeply personal, career-defining quandary.