Karen Wilson , ranked eighth in the world, has failed to win any championships in the past two years. He keeps changing clubs to find the one that suits him best. Now that Wilson has selected the clubs he hopes to use this season, he is focusing on changing his mentality during the game.
Wilson, 30, believes a more consistent approach could benefit him both on and off the table. He believes that it was difficult to overcome the trouble caused by failure in the past, so he needs to have a more relaxed attitude to participate in the competition.
WST: Karen, how was your offseason?
"It was great. My family and I went on a two week vacation to Portugal. We have missed a few vacations in recent years and this was the first time we could indulge ourselves without restrictions and without medical testing. My The kids loved the trip, especially my younger son Bailey who cried when we left and he wished we could live there anyway, it gave me a purpose for my older son Finley. He showed a completely different side to himself on vacation. He was very brave and tried a lot of new things and took risks to make new friends. He used to be shy so it was nice to see that and it was really cool.”
WST : What are your thoughts on failing to win the ranking championship last season?
"I had a lot of problems with my clubs last season. I even changed my clubs a week before the world championships , which you're not supposed to do. I've been looking for something unreal, really. I'm looking forward to it Just focusing on snooker this season and not that nonsense. I have a new club now and I'm hoping to see what changes from last summer. I revisited the clubs that I had for 11 or 12 years, something I'd always wanted to do, and made them longer and changed the size of the clubheads, which I just thought I should do. It doesn't break the cue, but it changes it and it's never the same again. It's really a bit crazy that you have to keep changing "
" before the second round of the UK Championship . I also revised my club. It became longer, heavier, and had a thicker head, which was the complete opposite of how my game had felt for the previous 12 years. I found that it gave a whole new dimension to my game. , I made it all the way to the semifinals. Since then, I've been willing to take steps to improve and make my game better. The one I used at the UK Championship. I've been looking for the right club and I hope it's this one."
WST: You beat Ronnie 6:5 in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship. O'Sullivan won and lost to Luca Bressel 4:6 in the semi-finals. After the quarter-finals, do you think this is a good time for you to win your first "Big Three"?
"I felt that I was definitely capable of winning this game at that time. I just met Luka and he played in a very good state. (Facing an opponent like Luka) When you regretfully lose in the end, you have nothing but What else could you do with your hands up? I was still getting used to the new clubs in a very stressful environment and went straight to the practice room. It did take me a while to get over the oppressive feeling of transitioning from an epic atmosphere to a closed room after shutting myself up in a room. I love this game so much.”
WST: You’ve talked about changing your mindset this season, what does that include?
"I always go into competitions believing I can win. I think that can be my weakness sometimes. When you want it too much, you lose it. The vacation I just spent with my family made me realize that life There's a lot more to it than putting all your eggs in one basket. It's pretty detrimental to your life when you see failure as the end of the world.I do feel that way sometimes and that's something I'm going to change this year. I hope I enjoy the game and see what happens in the future. I had always been wrapped up in snooker and immersed in it. I'm lucky and honored, but sometimes I get so carried away by it all that I leave the table feeling hateful, which is not how you treat yourself in the sport you love. . "
"I believe I am one of the best technical players in the world, but snooker is more about the mental aspect. Sean Murphy has said this before and he's right. The time before the game, the time in the chair, the time when you're not at the table, those are the most important things. If I can embrace the game and enjoy it, then I have a better chance of managing all of that. ”
WST: You ended last season with a 9:13 loss to Stuart Bingham at the World Championships. Bingham was the player you defeated thrillingly 6:5 at the Masters. Do you feel that you are both To bring out the best in each other?
“We have very similar views on the game. We all appreciate the life it has given us, what it has provided for our families, and how lucky we are to be able to play professionally. He has a loving family just like me. He's been fun to practice with over the years, so I think we enjoy playing against each other and being able to make good plays. In snooker you don't have a favorite, you have to focus on yourself. However, if I'm out in a game and he goes on to win it, I'm always happy for him. "
WST: Do you have the confidence to win the championship of the "three majors" this season?
"Everyone thinks that I can win more championships and am a strong competitor. This is a proof of my own ability. My stability has always been there. Like I said, I changed my perspective on the game this year. As long as I do my best, then if victory comes, great, but if not, I've given it my all. "
