Exclusive: Breakthrough Star Xiao Guodong Credits Wife and Family for Career Resurgence

For the second time in as many weeks, Xiao Guodong got the better of rising star Wu Yize, claiming a hard-fought 10-8 victory in his Tour Championship debut. It was a repeat of their recent clash at the Players Championship in Telford. 

The contest was a gripping battle spread across two sessions on Monday evening and Tuesday afternoon, with momentum swinging back and forth. Wu displayed his scoring prowess with seven breaks over 50, including a flawless century, but Guodong’s resilience and ability to win the scrappier frames ultimately proved decisive.

The match lasted nearly seven hours in total, a gruelling test of endurance in which Guodong’s experience was pivotal down the stretch. 

Speaking after his latest win, Guodong was full of praise for his young opponent but admitted that his own methodical approach played a key role in disrupting Wu’s rhythm.

“He’s a very, very talented player. He’s a very dangerous long potter. I love to play and watch him.”

“He had many high breaks that put me under pressure, but the way I play the game, and slow it down gave me control. It gave me a lot of comfort.” 

Guodong has more than lived up to his nickname, the "X-factor," this season. A breakthrough campaign has seen him secure his first-ever ranking title at the Wuhan Open, where he defeated Si Jiahui 10-7 in the final. He also reached the Champion of Champions final and made three other semi-final appearances, proving his consistency at the highest level.

Despite his youthful appearance, Guodong is now 36 years old and enjoying a remarkable career renaissance. When asked about the key factors behind his resurgence, he pointed to a newfound sense of happiness and security.

“The biggest change for me is, I’m happy. I have been playing tournament over here [in the UK] for 17 years and have always been nervous.”

“For a long time, I was living over here on my own, and it became very lonely at times. But now, I have my family over here, I got married and have a wonderful wife that has given me so much confidence. My family has given me a lot of power.”

“I don’t put as much pressure on myself. Even if I would have lost, I would still go home happy.”

A Chinese Surge at the Crucible?

Snooker’s growth in China has fuelled long-standing predictions of a “Chinese takeover” in the sport, though a world champion from the region has yet to emerge. 

However, this year’s World Championship could feature a record number of Chinese players, with four seeded contenders already guaranteed, Guodong, Ding Junhui, Zhang Anda and Si Jiahui. 

Young talents such as Wu Yize, Lei Peifan, and Zhao Xintong are also favourites to make an impact and make their way through qualifying. 

Guodong acknowledges the increasing presence of Chinese players but insists there is still a long road ahead before they can consistently challenge for snooker’s biggest prize.

“The future is so bright. There’s a lot of young players in China that play snooker," he told SportsBoom.com. 

“We still have a long way to go, the likes of Judd Trump, Ronnie [O’Sullivan] is still good, John Higgins, Mark Williams, we have a lot to learn from these. I watch more and more snooker now. I watch many different players to help me learn and improve as a player.”

“Only Ding [Junhui] has been to the final for one time. There is still a long, long way to go.”

Having secured his place among the Crucible seeds, Guodong is guaranteed a return to the World Championship, where he will aim to surpass his best run to date—a second-round appearance in 2017.

But this time, he approaches the challenge with a newfound sense of belief, buoyed by his Wuhan Open triumph.

“It’s been six years ago and every year I have hoped to get back there. The World Championship just feels different. It’s different compared to any tournament, the place feels different.”

“Every time I have been before, I put a lot of pressure on myself. But Wuhan [Open] gave me a lot of confidence, I don’t think I will be nervous this year. I’ll just enjoy it now I’m in the top-16.”

Guodong is determined to ensure this season is not just a one-off success. He is already thinking beyond the current campaign and is fully focused on cementing his legacy in the sport.

“I’m not just looking forward to this season there. I’m looking ahead to two and three years’ time. I want to keep building; I still have a lot of hard work to do in my career.”

With his confidence at an all-time high and his place among snooker’s elite secured, Xiao Guodong is ready to make his mark at the Crucible and beyond.