Kyren Wilson is not planning on playing into his 50s, with the newly crowned world champion eyeing up 45 as the ideal age to put his cue away for good.
The 32-year-old is on top of the snooker world after beating Jak Jones in the Sheffield final on Monday night, claiming his first Crucible crown and writing his name into history.
Only three players in the world’s top 16 are younger than the world champion, so he has a lot of time left among the sport’s elite, but he doesn’t intend to keep playing forever.
Wilson’s wife, two sons, brother and parents are all forces behind his fantastic success on the table and he wants as much time to spend with his family in retirement as possible after so many sacrifices during his career.
The likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Williams and John Higgins are still competing hard as they approach 50, but the Warrior doesn’t think he’ll do the same.
‘I don’t think I’ll be like some of the other guys, to tell you the truth, if I’m being totally honest,’ Wilson told Metro. ‘My wife and my kids have had to sacrifice so much.
‘And I’ve seen so many times in life, people building up towards when they retire and they want to sail off into the sunset. Then unfortunately they fall ill or things have gone wrong and they haven’t been able to enjoy it. I don’t want to be one of those people.
‘I’ve always said in my head, up to about 45 is a good age to be looking at. We’ll see, that’s obviously a long way off and hopefully I’ll have done enough then to look back and say I’m worthy of the history I’ve built.’
As for a post-playing career, Wilson has already tried his hand at punditry and commentary and enjoyed being in the box during the World Championship.
‘It’s given me another insight into it,’ he said. ‘Commentating on John Higgins’ game against Jamie Jones, I’ve seen it all from a new perspective.
‘You go out there as a player, you feel like all eyes are on you, there’s so much pressure and it feels so horrible sometimes. Sometimes it feels great. But to watch it from the comms box you think, what’s the big issue? It’s not as daunting as you first think. And I enjoy it, working with some of the legends, it’s great.’
There is a lot of snooker to be played before Wilson hangs his cue up, though, with the Warrior eyeing up the world number one spot and more World Championships in his future.
While this is a new experience to embark on next season as reigning world champion, he feels like he has mentally prepared for it, having long pictured himself in this position.
‘I’m fully aware of what comes with it,’ he said. ‘I’ve had near misses, I’ve been on the cusp and been a potential winner. I’ve been to the final, semi-finals. Four of the last seven years I’ve been to the one-table set-up, so I’ve seen who has gone on to win and always then watched how they’ve handled it and how they’ve done it.
‘I’ve felt that it’s been close to being me and now I am that person so I feel well equipped. I’ve dreamt of being this person, so I’ll take everything I’ve ever learned and what everyone’s taught me and now it’s up to me to manage it.’
MORE : Kyren Wilson reveals mid-match mind game during World Snooker Championship final win
MORE : Kyren Wilson reveals next target after winning World Snooker Championship
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