Mark Williams reconsiders eye surgery after World Snooker Championship semi-final

Three-time world snooker champion Mark Williams is reconsidering his planned lens replacement surgery after an impressive run to the semi-finals of the World Snooker Championship at age 50. Williams, who has been struggling with deteriorating eyesight, initially scheduled the operation for June but now expresses hesitation due to both his strong performance and warnings from fellow player Anthony Hamilton, who claims the surgery negatively affected his own career. Despite playing with significant vision issues—sometimes described as 'half blind'—Williams continues to compete at the highest level, recently defeating John Higgins 13-12 in a dramatic quarter-final. The decision is further complicated by his success in the tournament, raising questions about whether he should postpone or cancel the operation entirely. Williams has tried contact lenses and considered playing with glasses but has yet to settle on a solution, stating he needs more research before making a final choice. His story highlights both the physical challenges aging athletes face and his remarkable resilience on snooker's biggest stage.