Masters snooker finalist Kyren Wilson life away from the table following a tough couple of years for the world number two’s family
Mark Whiley Sports Reporter
08:28, 18 Jan 2026Updated 08:50, 18 Jan 2026
Kyren Wilson hasn’t had it easy off the table(Image: Getty Images)
Kyren Wilson is in a second successive Masters snooker final after defying a number of personal issues.
In the semi-finals, the 2024 world champion looked to be heading for defeat in frame 10, with Wu Yize 5-4 up and building what looked to be a match-winning break. However, after the Chinese sensation missed a routine red, Wilson took advantage to level.
The Warrior, who lost to Shaun Murphy in last year’s final, then showed his class and experience in the decider with a break of 116. He will face John Higgins in Sunday’s showpiece at Alexandra Palace after the two-time Masters champion defeated world number one Judd Trump by the same scoreline.
It hasn’t been plain sailing for Wilson away from the table in recent years. How’s a round-up of the issues the Kettering potter has faced…
Wife’s health battle
Wilson was forced to cut back on practice earlier this season due to his wife Sophie’s health issues, which saw her undergo surgery. The 34-year-old managed to keep up his tournament appearances but completely dialled back on practice.
Speaking in October, he said: “My wife has been very poorly so I’ve not really played snooker for the best part of four or five weeks now. I think she’s coming up to about six weeks of recovery tomorrow, so I feel like my snooker is slowly coming back.”
Wilson with wife Sophie after becoming world champion(Image: Getty)
There were also family health issues prior to his World Championship success, which again meant snooker had to take a backseat. Sophie, who suffers from epilepsy, had a silent stroke, while son Bailey was “really ill” and also had a “nasty accident” at school that required numerous hospital visits.
However, he recently reported good news on Sophie’s health and hoped it would help him recapture his best form, which had eluded him early on in the season.
‘Mental breakdown’
Wilson admitted he was close to having a “mental breakdown” during his 6-4 defeat to Elliot Slessor in the first round of the UK Championship in November.
A tearful Wilson said: “I’m just very lost at the minute. You were very close to seeing someone have a mental breakdown out there.
Wilson struggled to hold it together during his first round defeat at the UK Championship(Image: PA)
“I gave it my all, but I wanted the world to swallow me up as soon as I missed the pink in the first frame. It’s been a nightmare. I just had to sit there and suffer and try my best. I battled, I gave it my all, but I just knew I couldn’t win.”
Wilson went into that tournament with a new cue after the one he had won the World Championship with was damaged during refurbishment. He said: “I want to smash the place up. I am so angry at what has happened.
“It’s been a freak accident that was totally out of my control that has ruined the cue that I felt like I was conquering the world with. I don’t know where to look next.”
However, having found a new cue he is happy with, Wilson’s game has looked in good order this week as he attempts to become Masters champion for the first time.
Wilson faces John Higgins in the 2026 Masters final(Image: Getty Images)
Net worth
Wilson has won almost £4.8million in prize money during his career, according to CueTracker. That includes the £500,000 he banked for winning the 2024 world title.
Meanwhile, he has an estimated net worth of around £6m. That doesn’t quite place in the top 10 of snooker’s all-time rich list, which is headed by Steve Davis. However, having recently turned 34, Wilson has plenty of time to get there.
