Mark Williams reconsidering surgery after World Championship as it 'ruined' rival's career

Punching potter is reconsidering lens replacement surgery after his age-defying run at this year's .

Cue-whacking Williams, 50, is the oldest semi-finalist since the late Ray Reardon, who was 52 when he reached the final four 40 years ago.

The evergreen three-time world champion has noticed his eyesight rapidly deteriorate in recent months and earlier in the event revealed he had booked in for the procedure at the end of the season.

But Williams, bidding to become the only ever Crucible finalist in their 50s, fought back from 5-3 behind to level 8-8 with world No.1 Judd Trump in their semi-final showdown.

Welsh Potting Machine Williams, who was a keen boxer and used to spar with Joe Calzaghe in his youth, let frustration boil over and punched his cue five times after missing a pot in the second session.

The world No.6, who lost 17-16 in their epic Crucible semi in 2022, said: "It's unbelievable. Still going, 50 years of age, in the semi-finals, biggest tournament that we've got. And I'm still playing all right, you know?

"Got a big decision to make. I'm obviously booked in June to have my eyes lens replacement.

"I've been reading up and talking to people who have had done. I've got to be honest, it's putting me off a bit. Only a couple of people I spoke to, especially Anthony Hamilton at length, but it's no good under the lights and ruined his career and sort of put me under pressure a bit to be honest.

"So after this is finished, it is something I'm going to have to look more into, to decide what I'm going to do with it. More research, but obviously, you know, I'm in a semi-final of the biggest tournament. I've won the Champion of Champions. Top five in the world or sixth, whatever it is. What do you do? Do I keep playing blurry? I don't know."

Meanwhile, Trump is living like a hermit in his bid to become a multiple world champion. He said: "I'm very boring when I'm here. I normally sleep about nine hours straight through.

"Because it's so hectic around Sheffield, I don't really come out of my room much. I try to stay away from everyone. Conserve my energy that way.

"All I do is watch golf videos and do some gym work. I save all my energy for the tournament.

"I felt confident coming into it. I put in the work. I think I played well for the first three games, so I couldn't really have given myself a better chance. If it doesn't happen, then I'll come back next year and put myself in a good position."

After resuming 5-3 ahead, Trump opened up a commanding four-frame cushion with breaks of 70 and 65.

But Williams hit back with runs of 105, 96 and 84 as he won five of the last six frames of the session to level overnight.