Kyren Wilson: How Father Christmas’ masterminds win

Visualize the scene. An emotional Keren Wilson carves out a depressed and forlorn character in the dark, gray bowels of the York Barbican.

Not only has he had family health issues, but a difficult campaign has been compounded by the fact that he was forced to change the signal he used to win the world title in 2024 – after it was damaged in a “freak accident”.

The Englishman even says he was on the verge of having a “mental breakdown” during his round of 32 defeat to Elliot Slessor at the UK Championship – just last month.

The future looked miserable.

Then fast forward just six weeks to see images of Wilson walking out of Alexandra Palace on Sunday, where he lifted the Paul Hunter Trophy and celebrated his first Masters victory with his family.

“It’s amazing. Father Christmas has been so kind to me,” said Wilson, who auctioned off his much-loved antique for a children’s cancer charity, raising £5,250.

“It was a complete freak accident, what happened to my signal, so no hard feelings there, but it’s very important to have something you can trust there.”

Armed with a suitable replacement, Wilson, 34, made it third time lucky by becoming the 26th winner of the Masters, having lost twice previously in the final.

His path to glory and a second Triple Crown title took him past Si Jiahui, Neil Robertson, Wu Yize, and finally four-time world champion John Higgins, widely regarded as one of the game’s greatest players.

Wilson added: “I’ll be honest, I thought I was gone at the UK Championship, and I honestly didn’t know if I would ever return to the winners’ fold.”

“I have a supportive family and promised my mother she would get a piece of crystal [Masters trophy] On her dining room table.

“People don’t see what happens behind closed doors, but I was in a bad way in the UK – I was really struggling.

“To have a new signal and, one month later, win our second major championship is an amazing achievement.”