Chris Wakelin triumphs at Scottish Open amid family health crisis
Chris Wakelin clinched the Scottish Open title after overcoming significant personal challenges, with his one-year-old daughter Mia hospitalized during the tournament, reports BritPanorama.
The 33-year-old snooker player, along with his family, arrived in Scotland the Sunday before the event, but by Tuesday lunchtime, they were seeking urgent medical care for Mia. “We got up here on the Sunday and by Tuesday lunchtime we were in hospital with her,” Wakelin explained. “She wasn’t very well. Thankfully the nurses managed to get her back.”
The health scare coincided with Wakelin’s opening-round victory on 16 December against Oliver Lines. Despite the tumultuous circumstances, he delivered a commanding performance in the final, defeating Chang Bingyu 9-2, thereby securing the Stephen Hendry Trophy and a winner’s purse of £100,000.
Remarkably, Wakelin fought off his own illness throughout the competition, revealing, “I also had pneumonia last week. I’ve got so many excuses. More excuses than when I lose.” His victory, achieved in the face of adversity, reflects a significant personal and professional milestone.
Wakelin highlighted the emotional rollercoaster his family experienced within just a few days, stating, “To think that in the last five days, we have gone from nearly pulling out to being stood here now with the trophy.” By the time he returned from his first-round match, both his daughter and fiancée, Lucy, were back to good health and waiting at their hotel.
Lucy played a crucial role in supporting Wakelin, staying at a separate hotel the night before the final to ensure he could rest adequately before the crucial match. His victory has propelled him to 14th in the world rankings, with total career earnings now standing at £529,200. Nevertheless, this rise comes too late to secure a spot at next month’s Masters at Alexandra Palace, as the cut-off for triple crown events had already passed.
“This is mind-blowing for me,” Wakelin admitted. “A couple of years ago, I couldn’t see myself walking out in a big final and holding myself together.” The focus now turns to how he can build on this success in an increasingly competitive field.
