The 2023/24 Rookie of the Year looks back on his first season on tour and reveals that his biggest goal for the new campaign is to play at the Crucible.
He, congratulations on winning the Rookie of the Year award, how do you feel about your time on tour so far?
I'm more than happy with my performances last season. It exceeded my expectation and I never thought I could beat some of the biggest names in the game. I played my first ranking quarter-final (at the British Open) and had two more last-16 matches. I travelled to play in a lot of venues. I hope it gets even better this season. There is no pressure, no points coming off and hopefully I will do enough to maintain my tour card. So I'm relaxed.
How did you spend your time in the summer break, and how do you reflect on your win over Ronnie O’Sullivan in the Championship League?
I spent a couple of months in China, so when I got back to the UK and played in the Championship League it took some time for me to get used to everything here again. I lost my first match against Mitchell Mann, but after that it was nice to get back into some rhythm. I didn't expect to beat O'Sullivan, I just wanted to get one frame and learn something from the match. It was a 'rookie against giant' kind of game, so I played one shot at a time and that took some pressure off. I won it with a good attitude. There would have been no shame losing to him because nobody was backing me to win. I felt relaxed playing against the top seeds throughout last season. It’s easier to focus on the table because it's only normal if you lose to them.
You came so close to reaching the Crucible at the end of your first season, but lost 10-8 to Dominic Dale on Judgement Day, how disappointing was that?
I still feel a lot of regret, even now. We both played very well. The first session and first half of the second session was great and I felt fine at 7-6 down. But after the last mid-session interval I let the occasion get to me. It was my debut season and I imagined finishing with a dream Crucible appearance. I was so eager to perform on that very stage and let everyone watch me play snooker. Thoughts like 'I have to win' and 'I have to be there' started creeping in and there was a lot of pressure. I was getting way too nervous towards the end of the match so I lost.
How did you first start playing snooker?
I was born in Hunan but my parents moved to work in Shenzhen when I was about three. The atmosphere there was great for cue sports so I got acquainted with snooker easily. My father loved the sport so he was a big influence. I fell in love with it then tried to practise. I was only able to play on a Chinese pool table at first because I was too short and couldn't reach the snooker table until I was 11. In the same year, 2011, I watched the World Championship semi-final when Ding Junhui lost to Judd Trump, then there was a fantastic final between John Higgins and Trump. That made snooker a very special thing for me and I wondered how a game could be so great to watch! That tournament inspired me to learn the game and follow their steps. So that's my dream, to play at the Crucible. It was not to be this year, I hope I can make it in 2025.
You turned pro for the first time by coming through Asia-Oceania Q School in 2023, what was that feeling like?
I felt so relieved at that moment. I said to myself 'finally I can play in these professional tournaments, communicate with the top pros and learn from them.' That was my goal all the time, growing up. I'd like to think I'm a good student. There are flaws in my game and I tend to learn by watching other players, then bringing it back to the practice table to see if I can make progress. I've improved a lot on the mental side. Psychologically, I am very different now compared to my younger self. I'm fine with losing to professional players because they are all very good, with break-building good enough to win frames in one visit and air-tight safety games. I am looking forward to learning more in the new season.