Mark Williams reveals view on retirement as he pots on at World Championship with Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins - 'I'm out of the equation'
Published 19/04/2026 at 22:55 GMT+1
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Snooker’s ‘Class of '92’ are still going strong, and Mark Williams and John Higgins were both in action at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible on Sunday.
'What a pot!' - Williams lands brilliant long black to seal win
Video credit: TNT Sports
Williams won 10-4 against Antoni Kowalski, while Higgins started impressively before losing five frames on the spin to trail 5-4 against Ali Carter.
Ronnie O’Sullivan, meanwhile, begins his quest for a record eighth World Championship title on Tuesday.
O'Sullivan, Higgins and Williams have dominated snooker for the last 30 years, and, despite all having passed 50, they show no signs of slowing down.
Williams has even stated that of the three, he will not be the first to retire from the spot.
He told TNT Sports: "I just did an interview with Steve Davis, and he asked me 'which of you is going to give up first?'.
"I said 'it’s not me!'. I have already made up my mind, when I drop off the tour, I will keep playing in the amateurs, and travel around with my boy [13-year-old son Joel] if he’s still playing.
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Williams still 'holding off' surgery despite eyesight being 'worse than last year'
Video credit: TNT Sports
”So I’m out of the equation. It’s who’s going to crack out of those two, because I’m staying, even if I drop off the tour. I’ll be on the amateur circuit, trying to get back on.
”I am going to see where I am at 55, in the top 16 or wherever, and just keep on trucking.”
Williams looked in good form as he opened with victory over Kowalski.
That’s despite the Welshman admitting his eyesight is ”worse than last year”, and he is continuing to put off surgery.
He said: "Optical Express are ringing me every week saying I’m on the priority list, and can get straight in and have them done, but how do I put myself under the knife, or whatever it is, when I am winning tournaments and playing OK?
"I will 100% get it done, but I just can’t bring myself to do it right now.
"I can’t grumble. The way I am playing at my age at the moment, I am more than happy. I’ve won a ranking tournament this season, and am in the last 16 of the Worlds. If you had said that at the start, I would have bitten your hand off.”
Williams made the final of the World Championship a year ago, losing to Zhao Xintong.
He said then that he had a ”big decision to make” over his eyesight, but he has continued to put off surgery - and enjoyed another strong season on tour.
He became the oldest player to win a ranking event when he triumphed at the Xi'an Grand Prix, and is currently ranked at No. 6 in the world.
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Carter flukes 'unbelievable' blue into middle pocket
Video credit: TNT Sports
”My game is good,” he added.
”The easier balls I miss, I just accept it, maybe a bit better than John and Ronnie. I’m not worried about it, as I know it’s coming, and I just wait for my next shot.”
One reason Williams might stick around on tour is to see if 13-year-old son, Joel, can make it to the top.
He qualified for the Under-18s European Snooker Championship earlier this year, and Williams says he is happy to join his son on the journey.
”It’s good, because he is only young, and I picture myself at his age, and my father was taking me everywhere around Wales. I am taking now him everywhere, so it is good, even though it’s difficult watching, because when he’s missing easy balls I am sitting there sweating.”
Williams faces Barry Hawkins in the last 16 after he beat Matthew Stevens 10-4.
How to watch and stream the World Championship
You can watch every day of the 2026 World Championship live on TNT Sports.
It is available both live and on-demand on HBO Max.
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