Jak Jones Reflects on World Snooker Championship Defeat: "I’m More Disappointed Now"

 Jak Jones Reflects on World Snooker Championship Defeat: "I’m More Disappointed Now"

Jak Jones was an unexpected finalist at the World Snooker Championship this year, and the disappointment of his loss in the final has only intensified over time.

Entering the tournament as a qualifier, the Welshman stunned audiences with an impressive run, defeating Zhang Anda and Si Jiahui, before pulling off a major upset against Judd Trump in the quarter-finals. He then overcame Stuart Bingham, who had beaten Ronnie O’Sullivan, before falling to Kyren Wilson in the final, 18-14.

The final itself was a peculiar contest. Wilson took an early lead, winning the first seven frames, but Jones mounted a strong comeback, making the match competitive towards the end. However, despite his resilience, he ultimately came up short.

Having played his semi-final late into the night before the final, Jones admits he had no sleep before the most important match of his life. Although he’s proud of reaching the Crucible final, the sting of defeat has grown stronger with time.

"Looking back, I’m more disappointed now than I was when I lost the final," Jones reflected. "I didn’t play my best, but coming close has given me confidence moving forward."

The 31-year-old acknowledged that his remarkable journey to the final didn’t quite match the grand expectations he had while watching it on TV, but it has given him the belief that he can replicate such a run in the future.

"When I watched the tournament on TV, it always seemed incredible, and I dreamed of being there. But when I was actually in it, it didn’t feel as big as I imagined," he said. "It’s still a huge event, but you're somewhat isolated in your own bubble. You don’t realize how many people are watching."

Despite not playing his best snooker, Jones took confidence from the experience, recognizing that he came close to winning without his usual form.

"It’s reassuring to know that I could handle the pressure of the biggest stage in the sport. I didn’t perform well in terms of scoring or long-potting, but my safety was solid. That gives me more confidence because I nearly won despite not being at my best," Jones explained. "I know I can handle that kind of pressure, so it makes me believe I can do it again. The next step is to bring that mindset to all other tournaments. I just need to find that consistency."

Since the World Championship final, Jones has struggled to maintain the same level of performance, with his results falling short of the standards he set in Sheffield.

While he has reached the Crucible twice—making a quarter-final appearance in 2023 and a runner-up finish this year—his challenge now is to maintain a high level of play throughout the season.

"I get a lot more motivated for the big occasions," he admitted. "Sheffield gives me an excitement I don’t always feel at other tournaments, so I need to find a way to bring that same energy to those events."

Jones recognized that his success in longer formats, particularly the World Championship, shows his potential to thrive under pressure. However, he has struggled with motivation in smaller events.

"For other tournaments, I often feel flat and indifferent about winning or losing, and that’s not the right mentality to have," he acknowledged. "I need to figure out what’s causing that and address it, whether it’s fitness or something else."