Former world champion Luca Brecel has shed the pounds as he bids to retain his spot among snooker’s elite. The Belgian’s form nosedived after he thrillingly won the 2023 Crucible crown and he endured a torrid 2023/24 season.
As a result, he faces the previously unthinkable prospect of losing his spot on the World Snooker Tour. He is currently 56th in the provisional end-of-the-season rankings, with only the top 64 assured of keeping their tour cards.
Therefore, an improved season is essential for the Bullet. After his defence of the World Championship lasted just one match following defeat to David Gilbert, Brecel, a renowned party-lover, admitted he needed to get fitter.
And he has done just that, hitting the roads on his bike and losing a stone-and-a-half. Speaking during his run to the fourth round at this week’s British Open, he said: “I have lost around 10 kilos so I am feeling fit off the table. Cycling is great because I love being outdoors, it’s good for my body and mind.”
Brecel isn’t concerned about his lowly position in the provisional rankings and doesn’t even know where he sits. He said: “I used to look at rankings but not anymore, I don’t even know where I am.
“It doesn’t matter because the way I am playing, I am never going to be really low. People keep busy with rankings. Did they really believe that Neil Robertson [who won the English Open after a lean period] was never going to come back? If you are good, then you will always be good.”
On his current form, Brecel said: “I’m playing the best I have ever played in practice, and in matches I am making progress. Everything is sharp and I am in a good space. I am looking forward to this season more than ever.
“There are a couple of things to improve and I have not been used to winning a lot of games in a row, but I feel I am playing well enough to win the tournament.”
Brecel was knocked out of the British Open after losing to 2024 World Championship runner-up Jak Jones, who faces Oliver Lines in the quarter-finals. The standout last-eight tie sees world number one Judd Trump face Mark Allen.
