World Snooker Championship winner compared to ‘billionaire's son' as he receives warning

World Snooker Championship winner compared to 'billionaire's son' as he receives warning
Zhao Xintong won his maiden World Snooker Championship last month, but Anthony Hamilton believes the Chinese star will never dominate the sport like Judd Trump
World snooker champion Zhao Xintong has been warned by Anthony Hamilton
(Image: Getty Images )
Snooker veteran Anthony Hamilton has offered some advice to rising star Zhao Xintong, suggesting that despite his evident talent, he may not reach the heights of dominance achieved by Judd Trump.
The Englishman, who hung up his cue earlier this month after a 31-year career, has been full of praise for the Chinese sensation following his World Championship win against Mark Williams at The Crucible.
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Zhao's ascent in the snooker world was marked by his breakthrough during the 2021/22 season, clinching the 2021 UK Championship and then the 2022 German Masters. Known as the Cyclone, Zhao's relaxed playing style has caught Hamilton's eye, who likened it to that of a "billionaire's son".
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"It looks like he's just on a little Sunday stroll in the club when he's playing," he told Metro. "You know what he plays like? He plays like a billionaire's son."
However, while acknowledging Zhao's skill, the Sheriff of Pottingham expressed doubts about his ability to consistently dominate the sport in the manner of current world No. 1 Trump.
"He might go missing again for another half of the season," Hamilton commented on Zhao's potential inconsistency. "He's done it before, where he's won tournaments and gone missing because it just looks like it's the way he plays.
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Judd Trump remains the world number one
(Image: Getty Images )
"He could go missing, but then he could win two back-to-back, easy. He's not going to dominate like Judd does, I don't think. But he will win tournaments at a canter at times."
Remaining at the pinnacle of the sport, Trump embarked on an impressive streak of 10 consecutive ranking event wins between 2018 and 2020, a run that included clinching the World Snooker Championship in 2019.
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Hamilton shared his admiration for the 35-year-old's transformation from what he initially considered a "one trick pony" to a formidable player.
"When he first came on the scene he was a one trick pony, just potting everything," Hamilton added. "He sat down and thought about it with his brother. How can I improve? What do I do?
Zhao captured his maiden world title last month
(Image: OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images )
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"And he's done it off his own back. That's really impressive. Now when I watch him I'm like, 'Christ, I'm glad I'm not playing you anymore.' Even when he's c**p he's amazing!"
Zhao's triumph at the Crucible marked a significant comeback after his suspension due to involvement in snooker's most notorious match-fixing scandal.
Hamilton acknowledged the role of Zhao's ban and increased maturity in his subsequent success, noting: "He appreciates it now that he had it taken away. But also he's 28, he's not a spring chicken anymore, and it can take that long to really get to grips with this game."

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