World snooker champion Kyren Wilson was ‘derailed’ at a house party at 7am | Other | Sport

World snooker champion Kyren Wilson has recalled the time he found himself with a stranger at 7am after an all-night party after admitting he “went off the rails” in the aftermath of his World Snooker Championship win in May. The 32-year-old defeated Jak Jones in the showpiece event at the Crucible to win the title for the first time.

Wilson had already reached the semi-finals twice after losing the 2020 final to Ronnie O’Sullivan before taking the top prize again.

And he held his nerve in a tense encounter with Jones to beat the Welsh qualifier 18-14.

Wilson let his focus on snooker diminish after his title success, as he enjoyed himself off the sheet and drank more than usual.

His form suffered as he embarked on a string of poor displays. And after turning around his temporary deficit by beating Judd Trump to capture the Xi’an Grand Prix title in August, the Warrior explained: “To be honest, I went a bit off the rails, which doesn’t suit me.

“You have to contain it if you can. I was looking for the wrong high, if that makes sense. Now I’m turning my attention to more snooker tournaments.”

Wilson was in action at the Northern Ireland Open this week, setting up a showdown with 18-year-old Stan Moody after beating Anthony McGill in a dramatic third round on Wednesday.

And discussing his post-World Cup antics, Wilson told The Sun: “I particularly enjoyed a few late nights. I didn’t know when to rein it in and stop celebrating. I knew I had a very, very busy schedule, so I wanted to keep celebrating.

“You only get one chance to become world champion for the first time, so I wanted to enjoy it for as long as possible. I ended up at a few late night parties. Drink way too much.

“My wife Sophie turned to me and said, ‘It’s time to contain it now. Stop looking for the high through alcohol, and instead get that high through winning again.” I now have my head back in the game.

“At one point I ended up at a house party until 7am and I didn’t even know the person (who owned the house). I was there alone.

“That was a bit of an eye-opening moment: you have to get your life in order.”