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, a three-time World Champion (2000, 2003, 2018), and a former world number one. He achieved a 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. He uniquely holds all three versions of the professional world championship titles: 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 World Championship

In 2014, Mark Williams was absent from the World Championship for the first time since 1996.

1997: Missed second World Championship since 1997

In 2017, Mark Williams missed only his second World Championship since he had made his first appearance at the tournament in 1997.

1999: Runner-up at World Championship

In 1999, Mark Williams finished as runner-up at the World Championship, losing to Stephen Hendry in the final.

2000: Won Grand Prix and runner-up in other events

In 2000, Mark Williams won the Grand Prix but was a runner-up in the UK Championship and the China Open.

2001: Lost World Championship title defense

In 2001, Mark Williams' title defense at the World Championship ended in the second round.

2002: Won China Open

In 2002, Mark Williams won the China Open but lost the number one world ranking.

2003: Lost in first round of UK Championship

In 2003, Mark Williams lost in the first round of the UK Championship, ending his record run of 48 tournaments in which he had won his first match.

February 2004: Lost in quarter-final of Masters

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

April 2005: Scored maximum break at World Championship

On April 20, 2005, Mark Williams scored a maximum break at the Crucible in the World Championship, winning a significant prize, but lost in the second round.

2006: Failed to reach a quarter-final

In 2006-07 Mark Williams failed to reach a single quarter-final.

2007: Dropped out of top 16

After his second World Championship title in 2003, Mark Williams' form began to decline, and he dropped out of the top 16 following the 2007–08 season.

2007: Worst season of career

In 2007, Mark Williams had perhaps the worst season of his career, losing his first match in several tournaments.

2009: Broke wrist before Shanghai Masters

In 2009, Mark Williams broke his wrist in a fall at home less than a month before the Shanghai Masters.

2009: Qualified for World Championship

In 2009, Mark Williams qualified for the World Championship but lost in the first round.

2010: Traffic accident before Masters

In 2010, Mark Williams was involved in a traffic accident the day before his match against Ali Carter at the Masters.

2010: Won Players Tour Championship and reached UK Championship final

In 2010, Mark Williams won the first event of the Players Tour Championship and reached the final of the UK Championship, ultimately losing to John Higgins.

2012: Poor performance in 2012-2013

Due to his poor performance in 2012-2013, Mark Williams dropped to world number 15 in the rankings.

2012: 2012 Wuxi Classic and Shanghai Masters

In 2012, Mark Williams reached the quarter-finals of the Wuxi Classic and the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters. Following a loss at the UK Championship he contemplated retirement.

2013: Masters and German Masters

In 2013, Mark Williams beat Stevens in the Masters, but lost to Selby. He also lost in the last 32 of the German Masters to Michael Holt.

2014: Welsh Open and World Championship

In 2014, Mark Williams secured a win over Neil Robertson at the Welsh Open, but lost to Marco Fu in the last 16. He also failed to qualify for the World Championship for the first time since 1996.

2015: Players Championship Grand Final

In 2015, Mark Williams reached his first major ranking event final in over three years at the Players Championship Grand Final, but lost to Joe Perry.

2015: UK Championship

In 2015, Mark Williams was knocked out in the second round of the UK Championship.

2017: China Open and World Championship

In 2017, Mark Williams reached the final of the China Open but lost to Selby. He also missed the World Championship, only his second time missing the tournament since 1997.

2019: Masters and World Championship

In 2019, Mark Williams lost to Neil Robertson at the Masters and lost to Gilbert at the World Championship.

2020: 2020 Masters and World Championship

In 2020, Mark Williams admitted his career was at a crossroads after losing at the Masters and reached the quarter-finals of the World Championship.

2022: UK Championship first round loss

In 2022, Mark Williams lost in the first round of the UK Championship to Jamie Clarke 3–6, reportedly feeling unwell during the match.

2023: Masters and World Championship results

In 2023, Mark Williams reached the final of the Masters where he was defeated 8-10 by Judd Trump and was eliminated in the second round of the 2023 World Championship by Luca Brecel, 11–13.