'My game's shot' - Gary Wilson opens up about yips and decline in emotional interview after Masters exit

Gary Wilson has three ranking titles to his name, but revealed on Sunday evening that frustration with his game has pushed him to the end of his tether. The 39-year-old fought back against Shaun Murphy from 4-0 behind to 4-3, but eventually lost 6-3 to the 2015 champion. Wilson admitted he did not feel any buzz of competing in the Masters at Alexandra Palace for the very first time.

Gary Wilson said he was getting to the end of his tether after his first-round Masters defeat to Shaun Murphy on Sunday.

The two-time Scottish Open champion fought back from 4-0 down to go within one frame of his opponent, before eventually succumbing 6-3.

It was the first time Wilson had competed in the Masters at Alexandra Palace, but he admitted he did not enjoy the experience, failing to feel any buzz or adrenaline from the occasion.

China Open

Murphy makes history by breaking long-standing O'Sullivan record at China Open

09/08/2026 at 23:19

In an emotional post-match interview, Wilson revealed he had been feeling frustration regarding his performances for a long time.

"My game's shot, to be totally honest," said Wilson. "It hasn't been there for a while and it's almost getting so frustrating that I can actually be more chirpy about it.

"I'm actually getting to the point, worryingly enough, where I'm not even bothered anymore. It's actually worrying where I'm going out there not even feeling the buzz and the adrenaline.

'I can't believe it' - Wilson's woes on right corner continue offering steal to Murphy

Video credit: TNT Sports

"It's a horrible feeling when you're doing it because you know it means something. It didn't feel like it meant anything there. It's been frustrating for quite a while now.

"I think I'm getting to the end of my tether."

Wilson won his second successive Scottish Open title last season, as well as picking up the Welsh Open in February 2024.

But concerns about his cue action have persisted for a lot longer, as well as a deeply personal internal battle over his desire to win.

• Neil Robertson reels off five straight frames to seal sensational Masters win over John Higgins from 5-1 down
• Neil Robertson suggests 'snooker gods sacrifice' behind his bizarre qualifier no-show

Wilson said: "There's one side of us that's kicking myself, going 'Come on, kick into gear, try, just do something, you want to win.'

"But then there's the other side that's going, 'I don't care. I'm not even bothered.'

"It's been that bad for that long. My game's shot. My cue action's shot. You're just hoping for things all the time and that's not my mentality.

"But I think more worryingly is I've known for the last few years that it's on a steady decline.

"I've been getting around it here and there, and showing bits of what I can do, and managing to win three tournaments for goodness’ sake. It's great, but I feel deep down it's just getting worse."

'Is that a lacewing?' - Fly interrupts Masters match between Murphy and Wilson

Video credit: TNT Sports

Wilson's first appearance at the Masters came in the pandemic-affected tournament of 2021, where no fans were allowed inside Milton Keynes' Marshall Arena.

But even the presence of over 2,000 supporters packed into Alexandra Palace was not enough for Wilson to shake his apathy.

"The more worrying thing is I didn't really enjoy it, and that's depressing. I went out there and I didn't really enjoy it because everything's a struggle, everything's a battle," said Wilson.

"Honestly, there was nothing really there. The yips are just kicking in left, right and centre every single shot. I just don't know where to go anymore.

"But as I say, I can actually be really chirpy about it because, in a weird kind of way, I'm not that bothered."

---

Watch and stream The Masters live on Eurosport and discovery+

Shanghai Masters

Trump whitewashes Higgins, Wu beats Murphy on final ball in Shanghai

30/07/2026 at 19:19

Shanghai Masters

Wu hammers Si after Murphy and Higgins win final-frame deciders

29/07/2026 at 16:00