Zhao Xintong on Retaining His World Title & Beating The Crucible Curse

What a treat for the Q-Tips YouTube channel. The best player in the world

channel. The best player in the world right now.

Thank you.

Honor to have you on the channel.

Cheers.

Fresh from victory.

Yeah.

Another victory.

Were you surprised how easy you won this week? Um yeah that's definitely I was

week? Um yeah that's definitely I was surprised because I know when play with with final with the Trump I know it's very very tough game because he's world

number one and everybody know his he's his how how good he are so so I'm really happy I can be in the final but I know his tips some got some problem I think so

yeah that's when the player got some problem I think it's very very tough.

Yeah.

Yeah. But yeah, so I'm very lucky.

I don't know whether this is safe or not.

Uhhuh. He's now he's very safe. Yeah.

Now we when we are watching in the in the room where we sit to watch the commentators and the the pundits, you were making it look so easy that whenever like you were like this, we said, "Okay,

frame over." I

frame over." I know. Just Yeah. Just want to come down.

know. Just Yeah. Just want to come down.

shot.

Your score is over.

Your scoring is like it's been so good.

Yeah. I just keep my reason and to do better. Just want to try to enjoy

better. Just want to try to enjoy because I know it's okay. You can keep talking.

it's okay. You can keep talking.

Yeah. Okay.

My my my concentration is not very good anyway. So it doesn't matter.

anyway. So it doesn't matter.

Yeah. Because in the in the match I still feel still feel nervous, right?

Yeah. Because I just look nervous.

Yeah. I just want let's see very good but it's nervous.

I can't I'm too lazy.

Yeah. Too lazy to get the rest.

When you practice, are you are you when you do your practicing here in the academy? Are you practicing more for the

academy? Are you practicing more for the brick building or Yeah, I think yes, most of brick building and um long part.

Yeah, sometimes. And half hour safety just

sometimes. And half hour safety just like that.

Half hour safety. I didn't I didn't do 5 minutes cuz you play you play the game very well. the kind of snooker I I like to

well. the kind of snooker I I like to watch and the kind of snooker I used to play. Just see a pot and you go for the

play. Just see a pot and you go for the pot.

Yeah. Everybody say I very calm down in the frame. I just

the frame. I just when I practice I think I can be more quick.

Yeah.

But when I have nervous I I think I just walk slowly and see.

You walk slowly because you're nervous.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

I think I'm one years ago. Yeah. I think I'm I play the match the walk I think more quick.

Okay.

Than be than now.

Right. Okay.

Yeah. So now I just want to keep slowly and uh spend more time on the table. I

think this make me too easy.

I think it's quite um quite intimidating. You you can play you can

intimidating. You you can play you can play quite intimidating for your opponent because you don't look nervous at all.

The way you walk around the table is is very like cool and very um yeah and yeah sometimes in the very

important moment the big big nervous I just think loose is lose no problem because next we got another match. So

yeah, you just want to not let me to have a big pressure cuz I I one thing I' I've noticed with with you and um I think it was

especially in the UK championship.

Uhhuh.

You lost to Jang and Oh yeah.

And and but you didn't look very disappointed.

Yeah. I

I me and I used similar things.

Yeah. Yeah. I where I loose and I walk around I I saw you in the in the area.

Yeah, I know.

And but that moment I still very very very disappointed. Yeah.

very disappointed. Yeah.

Okay. Okay. So just so you're very good at acting.

Yeah.

I don't let everybody say I'm not happy.

Okay. Okay. That see I wasn't a very good actor. Everybody knew when I lost.

good actor. Everybody knew when I lost.

They could they could tell.

So, we seen on the TV last night, we seen some videos of you when you were very young playing, but what age did you first pick a pick up a queue?

Oh, I think first time is six, seven years old. That's my first time, but

years old. That's my first time, but just play not seriously. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah.

And uh I think when I have uh 10 years old, I got first snow coach.

Oh, you had a coach.

Yeah. When I was 10 years old.

When you started at seven was just a small table or a fulls size table. Small

table. Yeah.

But when I 8 years old, I think I'm start to practice snooker.

Okay.

Yeah. Because I snooker more interesting than Cuz your your your parents are both doctors, right?

Yes.

So they nobody in the family played snooker before?

No. No.

Really? Cuz my um my grandfather was very good at snooker. My father was not very good.

Yeah.

So his talent skipped my father came to me. So but nobody in your family at all.

me. So but nobody in your family at all.

Okay.

But my talent just your talent came from above.

Yeah.

So you had a coach.

Yeah.

It's quite early to have a coach.

Yeah. But um like one week for two times because that age I still have school right so yeah and what what age were you made when you

made your first century break?

Oh that's I think 12 years old.

12.

Yeah I think that's that my second coach I think you know hinder wong Mr. Wu.

Okay.

He has Mr. Ding and I know I know him. I

know him. Yeah.

You're from Shenzhen, right?

Yeah, I'm from Shenzhen. So, very near Hong Kong.

Many snooker clubs when you were growing up?

Yeah, there's Yeah, there's very very a lot of club here.

It's so good to watch.

Were you already watching um Snooker on TV then?

Yeah, I think. But uh

maybe too young to watch me. You maybe

too young to watch.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I always I have your DVD there.

So 12 12 years old you make your first century. When do you start playing you

century. When do you start playing you know competition serious seriously?

Uh I think it's my first time to play the like Chinese under 14 years old competition.

Yeah. My first time I got the quarterfinal.

Okay.

Yeah. That's my first time. But I have a good memory there because it's my first time. Would

time. Would be woulding Ding Ji be one of your heroes growing up.

Yeah, definitely.

Yeah.

Are you are you are you friends with Ding?

Yes.

Yes. Yes. Yes. No. So, not everybody.

Like when I speak to um you know the class of 92, John, Roy, Mark, they're they they they're friends, not close friends, but they always tell me they're not close friends, but they just

get on. But I didn't know if you were

get on. But I didn't know if you were like close friends or cuz obviously we grow up in a different city then maybe.

Yeah. But yeah, I think because when I was very young, I think I when I was 11 years old and I I still have school and

the ding was very famous and I go to Beijing to have like a like uh travel to

because Beijing got like academy and they visit invisited thing to here and have a lots

younger people to come to see and I I just saw the picture. I let show you later. Yeah.

later. Yeah.

Yeah.

Yes. I've got a shot.

Give me a shot.

So, how how many hours a day are you practicing for now?

In here. And yeah, obviously now now you're just obviously you're going to take a little break.

Yeah.

After winning, but on on a a proper day practice, how long do you do now? I think four or five hours.

now? I think four or five hours.

Four or five hours?

Yes.

On your own or against some against people or uh alone? Just solo? Yeah. Really?

uh alone? Just solo? Yeah. Really?

Yeah. I I prefer the alone because if I before the match I think I I need to play with some player.

Yeah, that's that's let's that's up again.

Yeah.

Yeah. I I I always felt when I when I when I did a lot of practice on my own, my game was sharper.

Oh yeah. Sometimes I I know what your mean but uh if I like tomorrow or the day after tomorrow got the match I can find some player to play. Yeah. That's

to find some feeling.

Yeah. Safety or something. Yeah.

What what age did you turn professional?

2017 I uh 16 19 years old I think.

Yeah.

Yeah. Because I I heard stories of um like Mark Williams told me pl exhibition you're making clearances very very young. I think

that's my 13 years old.

Yeah.

In China, right?

And that's my first time to see Victoria.

Oh, okay.

Yeah, she she remember that.

How how important is to have Victoria with you traveling and Yeah, in the UK.

Yeah. Yeah, she's very important. And

when I'm first time to come UK, I I stay with Victoria. So

with Victoria. So already 10 years old. So

cuz it's difficult, right? Cuz all you Chinese players, you have to live in the UK. It's it's not easy.

UK. It's it's not easy.

Yeah.

Cuz when I see you at the tournaments, it's always you, your girlfriend, and Victoria. Just very simple, very quiet.

Victoria. Just very simple, very quiet.

Yeah. Yeah.

I like this girl. We also got some friends but we when I play the match we never seen them and when we finish Yeah.

We can have Yeah, that's that's that's a correct way. I I was exactly the same of nobody

way. I I was exactly the same of nobody there.

Yes.

Cuz I seen you in the in the practice room just in between the sessions just looking at your iPad very quiet.

Yeah.

I used to um in the dressing room just read the paper.

Yeah.

Same thing. Just try and be Yeah. They walk

Yeah. They walk try and be relaxed.

Because I know Peter snooker we need very quiet not not loud because that can make you strong if you're very na

you know everybody here to see you that's that's not good.

Yeah.

Wow. did.

So obviously winning the world champion, first Chinese player to win the world championship. How proud. How proud. You

championship. How proud. How proud. You

still can't believe.

Yeah, I'm very proud of myself, but I still believe. Can't believe. Yeah. You

still believe. Can't believe. Yeah. You

know, because now nobody to nobody Asian to do this. So I know it's very very

this. So I know it's very very rare to do that. Yeah. you know so so and when I sing like like this I very very happy of course of course you should be I do it

you should be and I think the the other Chinese players like Wu Yiza Sjawi Chang Bingu I think they take confidence from you yeah I think I can make them very

confident because the snooker always like that shot I remember the first time.

Do you clap? Somebody clap.

I remember first time Joong and Yin got the, you know, the World Cup champion.

Yeah. And the second day I I get up on 6:00 and 7 to start to practice. So, so

yeah. So, it made me confident.

It's an inspiration.

Yeah.

How, how do you feel when you play against other Chinese players? The more

is it more pressure or less pressure?

Yeah. I now I think yeah I have a little bit pressure but before I just want to enjoy but now I don't want to lose seriously. Yeah

seriously. Yeah but this is my first year to to being the world champion so I I still to learn

how how to play where I get pressure and and different pressure and also I still to learn. So

to learn. So did you find that the first the first half of the season did you were you a little bit under pressure because the first half of the season you didn't you didn't Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's big pressure

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's big pressure because everybody keep eyes on me so it's very difficult for me.

That's my first time and I I don't know how to control myself in the first Yeah.

Yeah. It's better. Yeah. Just now I just think this is no problem. I got the next week. So that's why it's so important to

week. So that's why it's so important to enjoy good people to look after and take try and take the pressure.

Yes. Yes. That's important.

The first time you went back to China after winning, what was it like?

Oh, that's amazing for me because everybody know about me and everybody want take picture with me. That's not

like before, you know. So, and

and everybody wants you to sponsor everything to endorse everything.

But first time I still I still exciting you know. Yeah, that's that's very amazing.

Yeah.

But few months later everything changed.

I just I know the big pressure is coming because I said in um the World Snooker podcast at the start of the season I said I think you will win at least two or three competitions but then obviously you started quite

slowly maybe a little bit expectation but now now you're flying now you're completely completely used to it.

Thank you.

Did you set any like targets before the season to win it just or just just play each?

Yeah, just play. Okay.

Everybody say, "What about the world world championship?" Now I just want to

world championship?" Now I just want to keep going like every tournament.

Yeah.

Yeah. Not not not different. It's same.

Yeah.

I used I used to set targets for like to try to win the three the masters of UK or the world with the big ones. If I won anything else, that was a bonus. But then there was much less tournaments.

Yeah.

Now so many tournaments. So I think it's different situation now. I think

I think so we got a lot of chance.

Yeah.

Yeah. We every year we got like 20 30 match here.

Can't believe I've got the best player in the world picking balls out for me.

Sure.

Can I ask you, I'm not going to do go in any details, but when you didn't play for two years, did you still play as much snooker?

Yeah. You just kept playing all the time?

Yeah, I kept playing every month, every week.

And I still I still stay in Sheffield.

Yeah. Okay.

Yeah.

must keep keep practice and keep praying with some Chinese player and I that's very important for me and I know I will come back so

yeah so I I need to keep that yeah you say you made sharp yeah and the Q when you played the Qur I mean did you lose any matches yeah I I I remember the first first

match I lose to statement yeah that's very different feeling and I lose for the final frame, right?

And I know the cute toy you need be the number one you can got the Q card. So

So it's I know it's very hard and I I think that's cute to two because only one year got seven,

right? So I only leave have five match

right? So I only leave have five match to play and then the last four I I got a champion.

Yeah. And you how many you made? Like

two two or three 147s I think.

Two I think two.

Two or three or two? I forgot.

I forgot. But the seriously the cute poke the pock is more bigger. Oh really?

So more easier but that moment is make me to stronger.

Really?

Yeah. Yeah. It's very important.

So you think you're a better player now?

Yeah.

Yeah. That must have because Yeah. For

not to not playing for two years and watching must be difficult to watch now.

Is it difficult?

Every time I watch Oh, it's my Oh, yeah. That two year I still I still watch the frame.

That's interesting though that you could you kept on practicing and practicing.

Yeah, that two year I I saw under to win the international and I think and w the Wuhan.

Oh yeah.

Yeah. So this still made me to I want to very quick to back the snooker. That's

Yeah, because I love suka. I know. I

know that me.

Oh my god.

No, just safety.

Oh my god, that's unbelievable.

That's like the the best anyone can ever hit a ball.

It's amaz I I'm I'm amazed that you had what how long did you have a coach because you you your game looks so natural.

I I see lots of players, Chinese players, UK players from everywhere and you can tell they've had too much coaching.

Look too technical. But yours, you you don't hit the ball like you've been coached.

Um, it's just purely natural.

Yeah.

You don't have coach now. No.

Now not.

No.

Yeah, I think so.

Don't take my advice. Don't get one.

If anyone says to you, I can coach you, make your bed, say no.

Yeah, but I I know how to say that. Can I have the Yeah, of course.

He said that you know he read the name very well. He have the capability. Yeah.

very well. He have the capability. Yeah.

So he knew where his weakness to get better. He knew where his strong.

better. He knew where his strong.

So that's he feel he's lucky. So he

doesn't need it at the moment.

So can can you tell me what you think your weakness is?

Uh play the right shot right time.

No this n there's no weakness there.

Believe me there is no weakness because I I think because I I watch um Jud Trump play you and the last three four years I think he's he's become too careful.

Yeah. Too careful. when he first win won win the world championship, win all these tournaments, he's very aggressive.

Like you go for lots of shots.

Um I think now he's his game is he's still powerful.

Yeah.

But I think he's not aggressive enough, I think.

But that's my opinion.

Yeah. Yeah.

Cuz players other players are are not scared of safety shots.

Yeah. Yeah.

And now I need to be learn to good safety. That's very important for me.

safety. That's very important for me.

But you said but to me when when you have to play safety, you play very good safety. The first frame yesterday you

safety. The first frame yesterday you played the shot and like snooker.

Oh yeah. Yeah. Yeah. I remember that's I'm I still get better.

I think I I think I know one of your weaknesses and it's the same as mine.

Getting out of snookers.

Oh, you missed three against Jud and again Hong Kong Wake. You missed three. Yeah,

maybe that's a little but but that weakness doesn't matter. That doesn't

it's not important.

So when you when you got to qualifying last year for the world championship Mhm.

Did you did you think nine matches later you'll be champion?

I think a lot you know just play one match at a time.

Yeah. Yes. That's what I to think and every match I still got pressure. Every

match when I play I think the first round play with Hong Kong guys. uh Jung

Jawi and I don't know about a lot don't know a lot about him but I still got pressure and they're trying to play the snow cup cuz every everyone like me people are talking about you whether you can

qualify.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. But I know I I I don't want to sing a lot and I know it's it can change my to play the the match because it make me persure right.

Yeah. And uh

was was qu qualifying the four matches of qualifying almost tougher than the Crucible cuz the score your scores were like closer.

Yeah. You know when I play the world championship the first round play with Jack Jones I think that moment I like the challenge.

Yeah.

Yeah. Not like the not safety law a lot just like challenges him and to be so I I can have a big pressure

right. And I can to enjoy that. Yeah.

right. And I can to enjoy that. Yeah.

But now it's pressure is different. Now

I I need to save this champion.

Well, now everybody wants to beat you.

Yeah. Yeah. So yeah,

I I I enjoyed that.

I think seven times.

It's important, but it's important that you enjoy being the best.

Yeah.

I I love being People say, "Oh, I don't want to be number one or world champion.

Too much pressure." But I love it.

I I miss it.

Well, thank you.

World championship is soon. So, one very quick.

Yes. Well, absolutely. Yeah. This has

gone very very quickly. So, in in in in China, do people talk about crucible curse in China?

Yeah.

Yeah. They Chinese people we they very know the news you know the internet now is very very get oh

look it's it's nonsense you know it's just something that that we we can talk about on TV and but it's uh so everything I just want to keep keep

to myself not to change Because I know the snooker is is myself game, not not play the opponent. Yeah.

opponent. Yeah.

So, are you looking forward to the 7 17 10:00 in the morning?

What What would be your cuz you live in Sheffield.

Yeah.

What would be your routine in the morning? What time will you get up? Um,

morning? What time will you get up? Um,

you say the So, so you play at 10:00 a.m.

Yeah.

What time will you wake up?

I think 8:30.

8:30.

Yeah.

And go to the crucible.

8:30.

And go to You set alarm.

Yeah.

So, you No problem sleeping.

Yeah. No problem.

That's good. That's very important. So,

you go to the crucible 9:15 something like this.

Oh.

For 10:00 start.

Um, yeah. Yeah.

Just like that.

Yeah. Treat it. Just treat it like any other match.

Mhm.

No, that was a bad shot. What type of queue do you use?

Uh the jump price.

Have you had that long?

Uh I use already 10 years.

Yeah.

Yeah. Then I think when I was 16 years old. Oh, no. I use already 13 years.

old. Oh, no. I use already 13 years.

13 years. Yeah, this queue.

So, you know, cuz lots of players are changing cues. You're not interested to

changing cues. You're not interested to change.

I can't change.

No, I I have a lot of queue. I I want to change, but this the best.

Yeah.

Yeah. So, it's very very tough to change. You know, the snooker pay

change. You know, the snooker pay this very good friends to help me to get some trophy.

Yeah. This

you must sure should they must surely be bringing out the jouing tong snooker cues in China. Surely world champion cues. No

cues. No soon.

Soon. Yeah.

It's a big business in China, right?

If if start, I will let you know.

If you if you need a very old man ambassador, you could let you can let me know.

I give you the the the maple queue.

Yeah. Very. I think Chris Wickland is the only person that uses Maple Q.

Yeah. Yeah. He is Maple I know this season. I play like four times play with

season. I play like four times play with Right.

the Wling.

So, how how about the the Chinese food in Sheffield? Is it okay?

in Sheffield? Is it okay?

It's okay, but not the best. Yeah.

What's your What's your favorite cuisine? Chinese. The Chinese cuisine.

cuisine? Chinese. The Chinese cuisine.

Yeah. What's your favorite like hot pot or sichuan?

Hot pot is fine. Yeah. I like the Oh, everything in I I I like Me too.

Yeah.

Because you know, Chinese food a lot of type and lots of Yeah.

So, a lots of too many.

Yeah. And it's very difficult in the UK to get the same same standard of food.

Yes.

But in chef I still I I like to eat the beef the stick. Okay.

Yeah.

Sometimes the mill cutter and you cook.

Uh a little just a little.

What What um what do you like to do when you're not playing snooker? was your hob hobbies?

That's interesting.

Yeah.

I like travel.

Travel. Yeah.

Okay.

And you have a little dog cuz in China, but that's not in the UK. No.

No, he's in Shanghai. Okay. Because when

when he come to UK, he need to 30 days.

Oh yeah.

You know the Yeah. This very difficult.

And also the dog is 8 7 years. 8 years

old. Yeah. It's still little bit old.

When he played when we played in China, he barked at me.

Mhm.

He didn't He didn't like me.

Sorry. When we were in China, he barked at me. He didn't like He didn't like me.

at me. He didn't like He didn't like me.

I remember we played in China and I was like I think three three and you needed two snookers and you played on an exhibition. I was like And then you got

exhibition. I was like And then you got them.

Just make one made it fun.

No seriously.

I would say, what is he doing?

A That's no good. No good.

Just want to make the fun.

Do you like doing exhibitions?

Yeah. I think now it's Chinese snooker is more popular and I can let a lot of people to know the snooker.

Yeah.

Yeah. And the experience is is is good.

Yeah. Sometimes I I enjoy that. But now

I only play I think only play one expression after the world champion.

Yeah.

Yeah. Just that.

Yeah. Sujo.

That the only one you've done.

Yeah. I think it's the only one.

Oh, two times. And one name in Macau with Ronnie.

Oh, okay.

Yeah.

You got very well with Ronnie. good

friends.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.

Very close.

Has he has he has he told you any information? Is he going to play in the

information? Is he going to play in the world championship?

Yeah. We have something to talk and I hope you're not cheering me big support.

I hope you're not cheering him to win a when we face to face in the world champion. We we are still good friends.

champion. We we are still good friends.

So yeah, no problem.

Sure.

Good job.

So for your career, you you haven't set any ambitions.

Yeah. the career to do maybe eight world titles or no six masters. No, you just play.

Yeah, just play because that they they can make me pressure.

Okay.

Yeah.

It's like everybody's different. Like I

needed to set the targets and make me Yeah. I think because every snooker

Yeah. I think because every snooker player if play well you need enjoy the snooker not the pressure.

Yeah.

You you need you need when you got pusher you need you need be friend with pressure. Yeah.

pressure. Yeah.

You that's very important.

You you can enjoy the pressure but not free afraid of pressure. When I one years ago when I push I'm afraid I'm a terrible feeling but now it's Yeah. Now

it's good. Now it's Yeah. I know every time to do myself and uh keep going.

There's different different kinds of pressure.

Yeah.

When I in the '9s when I was winning every year the pressure was uh excite excitement.

Yes. Well, at the end of my career when I was the pressure was oh my god what's going to happen like yeah that's that's my big different for

one years because before I really afraid that the pressure and uh it made me terrible when I play the frame so it's it's very difficult to

play.

Oh, good shot.

Chance.

No.

So your your parents they they they cannot be disappointed now you're not a doctor. They must be very happy.

doctor. They must be very happy.

Uh yeah, I think so.

When I was very young, I I go the hospital a lot of time because my parents doctor and when I was very young, I have a one

thinking about I never to do the doctor when I grow up. Yeah.

Don't worry.

Have your have your parents seen you winning? Have they been to a tour when

winning? Have they been to a tour when you've won a tournament?

Uhhuh. Have

they been No.

No. He stay They stay still in Shen.

When I play the match, they very nervous. You know, every time I have a

nervous. You know, every time I have a match, they they don't see no not even TV.

No.

But some small competition they will have a look. Okay. Yeah, but if like world championship like master they never sing.

That's funny.

Yeah.

Um Yeah. So was it all parents?

They push him.

Mine were the same.

More pressure than me.

Oh. So yeah, it's much easier pressure playing for the the World Championship this year. Someone was saying the draw.

year. Someone was saying the draw.

Mhm.

If you and Ding both win, you play each other second round.

I saw that.

That'll be for Chinese TV. That'll be

Yeah. Yeah. I think so.

How many times have you played Ding? Um,

not a lot. I think it's only four or five times.

And I remember I only win for Shanghai Master.

Okay.

Yeah, I I think so. Yeah.

But think do you think do you think he can still win win?

Yeah, I think so. But I I think he need more practice to keep Yeah. to keep to keep his sun. I know he got some

lot a lot the concentration to the snooker because he got a family he he got a daughter and yeah he want to enjoy his life that's yeah but yeah because he been playing some very

young but if he want to play well he can do it yeah just he still can win the tournament

the break building is still amazing he everything is good so He just need practice.

Be focused on snooker. He can do that.

You too.

H you too.

Me too. No, no. I just I my technique was was is finished and I don't like to practice. So,

right. See this one?

You can use too quick.

Too quick. No good.

Oh, look at that sunlight No, that's very bad shot. It's very bad shot. I

want to see you play.

I don't see you do this very much because not good.

Yeah, sounds better on me.

So you you're going to Paris tomorrow?

Yeah, because for how for how long?

Just one day.

One day.

Yeah.

For your sponsors.

Yeah.

So when when will you start to practice for the world championship?

When we back.

Yeah.

Yeah. soon. Yeah.

Oh, we'll finish this frame.

Are you very like very excited?

Yeah, definitely.

Are you coming to the the champions dinner on the Thursday?

Yeah, Thursday night. I seen the very nice menu.

Yeah. Okay.

I wish I wish the menu was more Chinese.

Yeah.

But I think everyone else would like it.

Last year they tell me the for the championship night my first time.

Yeah. Oh

hopefully you can enjoy that.

Oh, thank you.

If I clear up here, I'm going to tell the child that I beat you.

Okay, no problem.

doesn't matter.

You said you said in an interview last week you gave and I don't know if you meant it.

Uhhuh.

But they were talking about Judge Trump and Abby asked you about you being number one and you said yeah he is number one for now.

I was very but I didn't know. Maybe you

didn't mean it. I don't know.

Yeah. Yeah. That's not my mean.

But maybe you didn't mean to say but maybe in here maybe. So I need a big transfer. I need to learn English.

transfer. I need to learn English.

But Jo is very very very good player.

Every single very every very every singing amazing very very very and tough. Very tough.

tough. Very tough.

Yes.

Selby very tough.

Wilson Murphy.

Oh too much.

Yeah, Tom, thank you. Thank you very much.

It's a pleasure. Pleasure to watch you watch you work and watch you play. It's

something we haven't done in a little while. Uh the tough table challenge, but

while. Uh the tough table challenge, but I think it's only right we should let the world champion have a go.

How many channels you Oh, um one.

It's up to you. If you have a good score the first time, you can say that's enough. If you miss and you want to go,

enough. If you miss and you want to go, you can go. So, start wherever you want.

Okay.

And the highest break so far is 88.

Okay.

From Alic Carter, the righthanders normally start here.

Okay. I've had that one.

Are you? Yeah. It's probably this one, but but it's up to you. I won't ask you so many questions. Don't want to put you off.

So, I can start now.

Yeah. Wherever you want.

One, eight, nine, 16.

17.

24.

25 32 33 nine 40 47 48

55 Now it's getting more difficult.

Yeah.

56.

61.

Oh, unlucky. 61.

Enough.

Enough for you?

Yeah.

Yeah. Good chance. Good. Good try. 61.

Got tough at the end. for everything in crucial.

So Tom, thank you so much.

Thank you.

Pleasure. Good luck. Good luck in the world championship.

Pay no attention. Pay no attention to Incible Curse. Yeah.

Incible Curse. Yeah.