Challenges in the Life of Mark Williams (snooker player) in a Detailed Timeline

Life is full of challenges, and Mark Williams (snooker player) faced many. Discover key struggles and how they were overcome.

Mark Williams is a Welsh professional snooker player renowned for his three World Championship titles (2000, 2003, 2018) and multiple stints as world number one. He achieved a historic Triple Crown in the 2002-03 season, winning the UK Championship, the Masters, and the World Championship, becoming only the third player to accomplish this feat. Uniquely, Williams has won all three versions of the professional world championship: the World Snooker Championship, the Six-red World Championship, and the World Seniors Championship.

Sections (4)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles

1996: Absent from the main stage of the World Championship

In 2014, at the World Championship, Mark Williams was absent from the main stage of the tournament for the first time since 1996.

1997: Second absence from the knockout stage of the World Championship since first appearance in 1997

In 2017, Mark Williams's defeat in the last-32 qualifying round at the World Championship marked only his second absence from the knockout stage of the World Championship since his first appearance at the tournament in 1997.

2001: World Championship Title Defence Ended

In 2001, Mark Williams's title defence at the World Championship ended in the second round with a defeat to Joe Swail.

2003: Triple Crown and World Championship Win

In 2003, Mark Williams had an exceptional season, winning all three Triple Crown events including the World Championship, and reclaimed the number one spot. He beat Stephen Hendry in the Masters final. He had a scare before the 2003 World Championship when his cue was damaged on a Ryanair flight.

2003: First Round Loss at UK Championship

In 2003, Mark Williams lost in the first round of the UK Championship, ending his run of 48 tournaments with a first-match win.

February 2004: Masters Title Defence Failure

In February 2004, Mark Williams was unable to defend his title at the Masters, losing in the quarter-finals to Paul Hunter.

2006: Failed to reach a single quarter-final for the first time since 2006–07

In the 2013-14 season, Mark Williams failed to reach a single quarter-final for the first time since 2006–07.

2007: Dropped out of Top 16

Following the 2007 season, Mark Williams dropped out of the top 16 snooker players.

2007: Worst Season of Career

In 2006–07, Mark Williams experienced what was potentially the worst season of his career, facing first-match losses in multiple tournaments including the 2007 Masters and World Championship.

2009: Wrist Injury and Grand Prix Semi-Finals

In 2009, Mark Williams broke his wrist and reached the semi-finals of the Grand Prix, losing to Ding Junhui despite a high break of 142, and progressed at the UK Championship due to Graeme Dott's retirement. He was also involved in a car accident before the 2010 Masters.

2009: World Championship First Round Loss

In 2009, Mark Williams qualified for the World Championship but lost to Stephen Hendry in the first round, hampered by cue tip issues.

2012: Poor performance during 2012

Due to his poor performance in 2012, Mark Williams dropped 12 places in the rankings to world number 15.

2014: Lost in qualifying for the World Championship for the first time since 1996

In 2014, at the World Championship, Mark Williams lost to Alan McManus in qualifying and was absent from the main stage of the tournament for the first time since 1996. He ended the season as world number 18.

2015: Knocked out in the second round of the UK Championship

At the end of 2015, Mark Williams was knocked out in the second round of the UK Championship by Tom Ford 5–6, after leading 5–3.

2019: Title defence ended in the second round of the World Championship

In 2019, Mark Williams lost to Neil Robertson at the Masters. At the 2019 World Championship, his world title defence ended in the second round with a loss to Gilbert.

2019: 2019 Six-red World Championship and China Championship

In 2019, Mark Williams reached the semi-finals of the Six-red World Championship, losing to Higgins. He also reached the final of the China Championship, where he lost to Shaun Murphy in a deciding frame, after trailing behind.

2020: 2020 Masters and World Championship

In 2020, Williams lost in the first round of the Masters to Stuart Bingham and admitted his career was at a "crossroads". He reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship, losing to O'Sullivan despite initially leading.

2021: 2021 Masters, WST Pro Series, and World Championship

In 2021, Williams lost in the first round of the Masters to Murphy but won the WST Pro Series. He defeated Higgins in the second round of the World Championship but lost in the quarter-finals to Selby. He also caused controversy with a safety shot.

2022: 2022 UK Championship Loss

At the end of 2022, Mark Williams lost in the first round of the UK Championship to Jamie Clarke, reportedly feeling unwell.

2022: 2022 Masters and World Championship Performances

In 2022, Williams reached the semi-finals of both the Masters and the World Championship. At the Masters, he lost to Neil Robertson. At the World Championship, he lost to Judd Trump. During the tournament, Williams equaled the record for centuries in a single World Championship.

2023: 2023 Masters and World Championship

In 2023, Williams defeated Ronnie O'Sullivan at the Masters for the first time in eight years, reaching the final where he lost to Trump. He was later eliminated in the second round of the World Championship by Luca Brecel.