**Mark Williams: Welsh Snooker Veteran Nears Fresh Glory Amid Eye Issues and Family Support**
Welsh snooker star Mark Williams is poised for another moment in the spotlight as he becomes the oldest semi-finalist at the Snooker World Championships since 1985. The 50-year-old, hailing from the small town of Cwm, edged past John Higgins in a dramatic quarter-final at the Crucible, clinching a tight 13-12 victory after an overnight deadlock. Williams, a three-time world champion, described a pivotal blue pot during the match as “probably one of my best shots in years”, underscoring his enduring skill and tenacity at the very top of the sport.
His heroics in Sheffield mean Williams now faces world number one, Judd Trump, in the semi-finals—a high-stakes encounter that evokes memories of their tense duel at the Saudi Arabia Masters final last year, when Trump narrowly triumphed 10-9 to claim a hefty £500,000 in prize money. With the winner of this year’s World Championship set to pocket another half a million pounds, Williams finds himself just two matches short of adding to his already storied career and impressive earnings.
Despite his recent success, Williams has been waging a private battle with worsening eyesight—an issue that has dogged him in recent tournaments. Speaking frankly to the BBC, he revealed that his vision has deteriorated to the point where he sometimes sees “three or four balls at a time”. Although he had scheduled eye surgery to correct the issue, his recent resurgence in form has left him reconsidering whether to go ahead with the operation. “I’ve got a big decision to make now, do I cancel my op? I don’t know,” Williams admitted, candidly explaining his attempts to adapt with contact lenses, and the possibility of turning to glasses if necessary. His perseverance in these adverse conditions is earning plaudits from both the snooker community and fans alike.
Financially, Mark Williams stands as one of snooker’s best-compensated professionals. According to sources such as Casino.org, his career prize money has soared to over £7.1 million. Just last year, he took home £200,000 with a runner-up finish in Saudi Arabia, and earned £438,500 over the 2023/2024 season. Should he triumph at the Crucible this time around, another £500,000 will be added to his burgeoning fortune. It’s worth reflecting how, for a sport often overlooked at the national level, snooker’s top players can still achieve considerable financial security through persistence at the elite level.
Away from the green baize, Williams enjoys the support of his wife Joanne and their three sons—Conor, Kian, and Joel. Joanne, originally from Hartlepool, has built her own successful business, Maximum Travel, which she founded in 2019. Despite being the partner of a high-profile sportsman, she keeps a relatively low profile on social media, preferring to focus on her entrepreneurial pursuits and family life. She has, however, been vocal when it comes to defending her husband’s reputation and the sport itself.
In a candid public admission, Joanne recently reflected on the resilience of their relationship, saying, “An English girl, a Welsh boy working on different sides of the world—it shouldn’t have worked, but we proved them wrong”. The couple marked 25 years together in March this year, defying any sceptics who doubted their union. Her remarks shed light on the challenges athletes and their families often face, balancing demanding careers with personal commitments and public scrutiny.
Joanne has also spoken out on issues within the sport, notably when Mark was omitted from the cover of the 2019 video game ‘Snooker 2019’ despite being world champion at the time. Describing the decision as “massive prejudice,” she suggested it may have been due to her husband’s Welsh heritage. She has also lamented snooker’s struggles for mainstream recognition, especially at major UK sports award ceremonies.
The Williams family’s story exemplifies resilience—both in professional and personal spheres. Mark Williams, now a veteran of the sport, continues to battle on the biggest stage despite physical setbacks, holding out hope for a return to the pinnacle of world snooker. Joanne’s straightforward perspective and advocacy add further strength to his journey, reminding observers that longevity and devotion—whether at the table or at home—deserve their own celebration.
As the world waits to see if the Welshman can claim a fourth world title, there’s recognition that his legacy is already secure—both in terms of his financial achievements on the circuit and his ability to inspire through dedication and family support. Whatever the outcome at the Crucible, Mark Williams remains one of the sport’s greats, and his story continues to resonate well beyond the snooker hall.