‘To be there is a bit strange’
Published 04/05/2024 at 22:41 GMT
Jak Jones defeated Stuart Bingham 17-12 in the semi-final of the 2024 Snooker World Championship final on Saturday evening, with the Welshman not on the list of pre-tournament favourites. Speaking to Eurosport after his surprise victory, he explained how his parents were contributing to his success so far, going so far as to reveal his mother had been washing his shirts on a brief visit.âFinishing with a flourishâ – Jones seals place in World Championship final
Jak Jones celebrated an “unexpectedâ appearance in the World Championship final against Kyren Wilson on Sunday after he defeated Stuart Bingham.
The Welshman overcame Bingham 17-12 on Saturday evening at the Crucible, with the final session seeing Jones exploit some inconsistent potting from his opponent.
Jones was not mentioned as a pre-tournament favourite, and he has failed to qualify for the main tour a couple of times in his career. However, a win in the quarter-finals over Judd Trump showed his quality and he followed that up by defeating Bingham convincingly on the final scoreline.
Speaking on Eurosport after his win, Jones conceded that he had not been confident of reaching the final, and said his reaction was tempered by rarely exceeding expectations.
He said: âSounds good, bit unexpected this season. I think Iâve had so much disappointment in my career that I don’t get too excited, I donât really get too down.
âIâve watched the world final every year and thought what a dream that would be, what an amazing occasion it is. So to be there myself is a bit strange.â
Jones discussed the involvement of his parents so far in Sheffield. He first noted that his fatherâs approach has kept him calm.
âMy dad has probably helped. Heâs here, we donât really talk about snooker too much or get too excited about what happens in the sessions,â he said.
âI donât feel like Iâve played well, Iâve not come here with any confidence. If anything I wish I put on something better for the people watching. I suppose if anything, Iâm winning like that, it doesnât get better.
âIf it had been expected it would have been something, but because itâs come out of nowhere, itâs a great moment.â
âCanât we get on with the game please?â – Referee remonstrates with crowd as Jones closes on win
Prompted by Jimmy White, he then reveals that his mother does not watch him in action, but she had visited recently, washed his shirts, and returned home.
He explained: âMy mum… Everyone keeps asking, âIs your mum going to come up, now youâre in the semi-finals?â But sheâs just never watched .But she did come up a couple of days ago for the evening, washed my shirts, and went straight home.”
Jones concluded by reflecting on a couple of weeks with little sleep, adding adrenaline had got him through.
He said: âI wonât be expecting any sleep tonight, Iâve just accepted it.â
Stream top snooker action, including the 2024 World Championship, live and on-demand on Eurosport and discovery+
Join 3M+ users on app
Stay up to date with the latest news, results and live sports
Download
