**Mark Williams Jokes About Eye Surgery Refund as Health Woes Continue During Snooker World Championship**
Veteran snooker star Mark Williams has revealed his ongoing struggle with deteriorating eyesight, candidly admitting that the condition appears to be getting worse. The three-time World Champion, aged 50, has nonetheless managed to storm into the final of the World Snooker Championship at the iconic Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, much to the astonishment of fans and pundits alike.
Williams, who faces rising Chinese star Zhao Xintong in the upcoming final, overcame formidable opponent Judd Trump despite the significant challenges posed by his worsening vision. The Welshman’s performance has cemented his chance to become the oldest ever World Champion at the Crucible, a record that would bring further prestige to his already glittering career.
In an interview with TNT Sports, Williams did not shy away from discussing his health issues. “It’s a good win for me, considering I am half blind. Everything is blurry and it’s getting worse,” the Merthyr Tydfil-born player joked, displaying his characteristic wit in the face of adversity. He went even further, cheekily suggesting that, given his current form at the tournament, he might reconsider proceeding with the eye surgery he’s scheduled for next month.
Lens replacement surgery, a procedure which can provide clearer vision for those suffering from cataracts or other lens-related issues, has already been booked for 12 June, with a deposit paid. Williams, after reaching the championship final, joked that his superb run of form could be grounds enough to ask for his money back.
Speaking to the BBC after his triumph over Trump, Williams elaborated on his efforts to find some consistency: “I came here with not much form, I lost in the first round in the past few tournaments, but I wasn’t really too concerned.” Displaying real dedication, he described his daily regime: “I worked in the club from half past eight every morning for four or five hours, me and Lee [Walker, Williams’ coach]. We’ve been putting the hours in just to try to get a bit of form, trying with contacts and without contacts.”
Williams admitted that the challenge with his eyesight has been both persistent and deeply frustrating. Detailing his recent attempts to manage the problem, he said: “I really struggled with my eyes in the past couple of tournaments and I’ve tried everything – contacts, varifocals.” Entrusting his coach with the final decision on which visual aids to use, he explained, “I left it for Lee to decide because he knows if I’m playing alright and how I’m hitting them, and he said he thought I was better off going without them.”
The snooker star’s candour brings an honest, human perspective to the pressures and sacrifices faced by professional athletes, particularly those competing into their fifth decade. Williams’ predicament highlights how the drive to continue performing at the highest level often pushes sportspeople to adapt creatively, even when facing health concerns that would sideline many.
Despite joking about cancelling his surgery and reclaiming his deposit, Williams’ situation is a reminder of the challenges posed by age and physical decline, even for a player still capable of such remarkable displays. Should he triumph in the final, the story would take on an almost mythic quality: an ageing champion battling health adversity to claim glory against the odds.
As the snooker world turns its attention to the Crucible final, fans will be watching not only for the outcome but for another chapter in the storied career of one of the sport’s true greats. Whether or not Williams proceeds with his eye surgery after the tournament, his ability to compete at the highest level in spite of his condition remains a testament to his enduring talent and sheer determination.
Williams’ challenges underline the adaptability required in professional sport. For now, all eyes are on the Crucible, where one of Wales’ favourite sporting sons is determined to give it his all – blurry vision or not.