Zhao Xintong reveals what he did during 20-month snooker ban | Other | Sport
Reigning World Snooker Champion Zhao Xintong has opened up on what he did while he was suspended for 20 months from the sport. Zhao’s journey to becoming a world champion is a storied one. The talented star was hailed as the game’s next big thing when he won the 2021 UK Championship.
However, the Chinese hero, who was ranked World No. 9 at the time, was rocked by a lengthy ban in January 2023 for betting breaches as part of a match-fixing saga, in which 10 Chinese potters were suspended. During Zhao’s appearance on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips show, which saw Zhao play a frame with the iconic Scot, he opened up about how he kept practising during his downtime, knowing one day he would return to the game.
“I kept playing,” he said. “Every month, every week, and I still stayed in Sheffield, keep practising and keep playing with some Chinese players. That was very important for me. I knew I would come back, so I needed to keep that [sharpness].”
Zhao will attempt to make more history at the 2026 tournament by smashing the so-called ‘Crucible curse’ that has seen no first-time winner retain the title since the World Championship moved to the Sheffield venue in 1977.
Hendry won the first of his seven world titles in 1990 but couldn’t retain it the following year after losing to Steve James in the quarter-finals. While the duo knocked the balls around, Zhao confirmed that Chinese fans and media often talk about the ‘curse’; however, he insisted it wouldn’t affect his game this year, saying: “I play myself, not the opponent.”
Boosting his confidence, Henry also told Zhao straight to his face that the much-discussed curse means nothing. “It’s nonsense. It’s [just] something we can talk about on TV,” Hendry said.
After beating Mark Williams in last year’s final, Zhao referenced his ban that expired in September 2024. Zhao said: “I had nearly two years not playing in tour competitions, and that’s why I said my first target was to get through qualifying to the Crucible.
“I can’t believe I went on to be champion, but I am back now, and I want to keep going. I can’t believe it. I am so happy. It feels like a dream right now. I can’t believe it’s come true. I can’t believe what I’ve done this month. It’s been really exciting.
His previous ban didn’t seem to deter Williams from lavishing his opponent with praise. “What a potter he is,” said Williams. “I’m glad I’ll be too old when he’s dominating. I’ve got nothing but admiration for what he’s done.
“He’s come through the qualifiers and bashed Ronnie up, bashed me up. Bashed everyone up. There’s a new superstar of the game, and it’s him.” Zhao will begin his 2026 campaign and title defence against qualifier Liam Highfield on Saturday morning at The Crucible.
