SHEFFIELD — Three-time world snooker champion Mark Williams received an unexpected morale boost from legendary singer Tom Jones during his thrilling quarter-final victory over John Higgins at the Crucible Theatre, his manager Lee Walker has revealed.
The Welsh potting machine, who triumphed 13-7 against his long-time rival on Tuesday, shared a surprise phone call with the "It's Not Unusual" hitmaker shortly after securing his semi-final spot. Walker told reporters: "Tom rang Mark straight after the match to congratulate him. That kind of support from a Welsh icon really keeps him motivated."
Williams' Crucible Resurgence
At 49 years old, Williams is enjoying one of his most impressive seasons in recent memory, having already claimed the British Open title in October. His victory over Higgins marked his first Crucible semi-final appearance since 2021, when he lost to eventual champion Selby. The left-hander's manager emphasized: "People forget Mark's still one of the most dangerous players in the world when he gets rolling. That break-building against Higgins proved it."
Key factors in Williams' quarter-final dominance included:
- A 92% long pot success rate in the final session
- Three century breaks across the match
- Winning 7 of the last 8 frames against the four-time champion
Jones' Sporting Connections
The 83-year-old music legend has longstanding ties to snooker, having attended matches since the 1970s. Walker revealed: "Tom's followed Mark's career for decades. He understands the pressure of performing at the highest level and knows exactly what to say to keep spirits up." Jones previously supported fellow Welshman Terry Griffiths during his 1979 world championship victory.
Celebrity Support Network
Williams isn't the first snooker star to benefit from celebrity backing:
- Ronnie O'Sullivan regularly trains with footballer Jamie Carragher
- Judd Trump plays exhibition matches with darts star Michael Smith
- Stephen Hendry received coaching tips from golf legend Nick Faldo
Semi-Final Challenge Ahead
Williams now faces either David Gilbert or Stephen Maguire in Thursday's semi-final, where he'll attempt to reach his sixth world championship final. The Welshman last lifted the trophy in 2018, completing a remarkable comeback after dropping out of the top 16 earlier in his career.
Walker stressed the importance of maintaining focus: "Mark knows the job's only half done. He's got the experience to handle the Crucible pressure cooker, but we're taking nothing for granted. That call from Tom was perfect timing though - you could see the extra spring in his step during practice today."
Historic Triple Crown Bid
Should Williams triumph on Monday, he would become:
- Only the fourth player to win four or more world titles
- The oldest champion since Ray Reardon in 1978
- The first Welshman to complete multiple Triple Crown sweeps
Bookmakers have installed Williams as third favorite behind Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, with Walker noting: "The odds don't bother him. Mark's beaten everyone before and believes he can do it again. Having Wales behind him - from Tom Jones to the fans in the arena - that's worth a few frames start."
The semi-finals begin Thursday morning, with Williams scheduled for the afternoon session. Tournament officials confirmed Jones won't attend in person due to touring commitments, but Walker joked: "If Mark reaches the final, I wouldn't bet against Tom rearranging his schedule. That would really get the Crucible rocking."
Williams' longevity continues to astound snooker historians. Since turning professional in 1992, he has:
- Won 25 ranking titles
- Spent over 500 weeks in the world's top 16
- Maintained a 90% win rate at the Crucible when leading after two sessions
As the tournament reaches its climax, Williams remains characteristically relaxed about his title chances, telling BBC Wales: "I'm just enjoying my snooker. If Tom Jones believes in me, that's good enough for me. Now let's see if I can still pot a few balls under pressure."
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