Jimmy White says 'burnt out' Kyren Wilson 'needs a little rest' after early Welsh Open exit
Published 15/02/2025 at 08:12 GMT
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It was an uncharacteristic Kyren Wilson performance at the Welsh Open this week, as he suffered an early exit to Joe O'Connor, with the world champion failing to make the last 16. Snooker legend Jimmy White feels Wilson needs to "put the cue down for a week or so", saying the 2025 German Masters champion looks "burnt out" after a busy start to the year.
'Needs a little rest' - Wilson looked 'burnt out' in early Welsh Open exit, says White
Video credit: TNT Sports
Jimmy White said Kyren Wilson looked "burnt out" during his Welsh Open exit to Joe O'Connor, and urged the world champion to get "a little rest".
Wilson took the German Masters title in January with a gruelling 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins, just two weeks after falling to an agonising defeat against Shaun Murphy in the Masters final at Alexandra Palace.
And Wilson's frequent appearances since the turn of the year looked to have taken their toll when he slipped to an uncharacteristic second-round defeat against Joe O'Connor in Llandudno on Wednesday, a match which saw him spurn an opportunity to take a two-frame lead, and fail to recover before falling in a decider.
Snooker legend White - speaking during Eurosport's coverage of the Welsh Open, live on discovery+ - hailed Wilson's efforts in recent weeks, but urged him to take a break at risk of giving himself too much work in a hectic season.
"Kyren Wilson, amazing what he did to win the German [Masters] after losing in the final of the Masters," White said.
"But he looks a little bit burnt out, needs a little rest now to get ready for the World Championship, because he didn't play well in that match.
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White doubles down on 'tenacious winner' Wilson needing a rest
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Listen, the way he played in The Masters, he came back in the final, didn’t play his A-game, but he’s a tenacious winner, gives 100% all the time.
"Then to go and win in Germany, I just thought even his early matches here, looks like he needs to put the cue away for a week or so."
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The world champion, though, does not seem to be heeding that advice, as he is scheduled to take on Hammad Miah in the World Open on February 23.
And with the World Open, World Grand Prix and Wilson's title defence at the 2025 World Championship all to come, the run-in for the snooker season is set to be a demanding one.
Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Welsh Open, live and on demand on Eurosport and discovery+
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