Chinese snooker star Xiao Guodong is set to make his long-awaited debut at the prestigious Masters tournament this Sunday, a milestone that caps an extraordinary late-career surge. The 36-year-old, who turned professional back in 2007, finally captured his first ranking title at the 2024 Wuhan Open, ending a 17-year wait for the top prize.
The Wuhan Breakthrough: From Patience to Dominance
Far from being a one-off triumph, Xiao returned to the scene of his greatest victory this season and successfully defended his Wuhan Open crown. In a nail-biting final against Gary Wilson, he clinched a 10-9 victory to secure back-to-back titles in Hubei. This remarkable consistency has propelled him to world number 11, finally breaking his long stint hovering outside the sport's elite top 16.
Reflecting on his belated success, Xiao admits the timing has changed its impact. "I waited to be a champion for a long time," he said. "I think if in the first five years on tour I won a title it would be different... I don't think it changed too much. Just more peace. I'm more concentrated and more confident for the next one." He credits the supportive presence of family and friends in Wuhan, which he calls a "second home town," for helping him manage the immense pressure that had thwarted him in previous finals.
Mastering the Mental Game: Pushing the Pressure
Xiao pinpoints a crucial mental shift as the key to his recent achievements. Having dedicated his life to snooker from the age of 13, he once placed unbearable weight on every result. "I gave myself a lot of pressure. In the past I didn't know how to push the pressure, but now I do. So this is a big change," he explained. This hard-won perspective is something he urges younger players, especially those from China adapting to life on the UK tour, to embrace.
"Young boys come here very nervous," Xiao noted. "It's far away... leave their family, cannot speak the language, cannot cook. You need to know how to push the pressure. I think young players have to change their way of thinking. Snooker is not just the only way. You have a different life." This balance was further influenced by his marriage in 2024, which added to the challenges of touring but also provided valuable perspective.
Choices and Challenges on the Path
Xiao's ascent hasn't been without interruption. His commitment to represent China at the World Games, where he won a gold medal, meant missing the lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters. Furthermore, administrative oversights led to him missing entries for the Northern Ireland Open and Xi'an Grand Prix. "I won Wuhan but after that I had no tournament to play!" he revealed.
Choosing national duty over a potential £500,000 prize in Jeddah was a significant decision. "It's not about the money," Xiao stated. "If it was about the money then I would play Saudi Arabia... Sometimes you have to choose the right things."
Alexandra Palace Awaits: A Dream Debut Against Selby
Xiao's reward for his perseverance is a debut at London's iconic Alexandra Palace, where he will face the formidable four-time world champion Mark Selby on Sunday evening. "So exciting!" Xiao exclaimed. "When I was younger, I watch TV and it was the Masters and World Championship. I really wanted to play the Masters because it was my dream venue."
He approaches the match with his newly forged philosophy, aiming to enjoy the experience above all. "I don't have to think about win or loss, I just have to enjoy the venue and the crowd because it's my first time to play." However, he is fully aware of the task ahead, praising Selby's all-round game: "I don't know what he is no good at!"
From a 17-year quest for a first title to becoming a double champion and Masters contender, Xiao Guodong's story is one of resilience, mental fortitude, and dreams finally realised on snooker's biggest stages.
