Snooker is a sport that is going through a transitional phase. Some of the biggest names in the sport who we have become so accustomed to seeing win the sport’s biggest prizes are nearing the end of their careers and there are several players who are aiming to take their place at the top table in the sport.
With a mixture of grizzled veterans trying to prolong their stay at the top of the game and the emergence of several exciting young players, here are four players to watch in 2025.
Mark Selby
It seems quite strange that we would include Mark Selby in this list of players to watch, but it’s fair to say that despite being a four time World Champion, the ‘Jester from Leicester’ has always had a career that has seen him fly under the radar.
In a sport where a maverick style of play has always been encouraged, Selby’s quiet and unassuming nature when he is on the table has seen his game often overlooked when it comes to comparisons with Ronnie O’Sullivan and now Judd Trump.
Despite the two aforementioned players stealing most of the limelight, Selby has a game that has always matched well against them and it’s no surprise that even in his early 40s Selby is still one of the most consistent players in the sport.
Currently ranked 5 in the world, it has been another good year for Selby who seems to have found his best form in the second part of the year. A winner of the British Open, he also reached the final of the Snooker Shoot Out.
Ahead of the Masters and with the World Championship slowly looming into view, Selby will once again be a name that few talk about in terms of winning, however discount him at your peril. Boasting a Hall of Fame resume, Selby will want to remind everyone of just how good a player he is and he will want to make 2025 another year to remember.
Neil Robertson
One man who has had numerous epic battles with Mark Selby is the Australian, Neil Robertson and the ‘Thunder from Down Under’ will hope to resume that rivalry by the time that 2025 gets under way.
Unlike Selby who has largely been able to keep his place at the top of the game, Robertson has enjoyed more of a roller coaster ride over the last few years and finds himself in the uncomfortable position of currently sitting outside of snooker’s most exclusive club, the top 16.
Currently ranked 20th in the world, his absence from the top 16 means that more often than not he isn’t seeded for the games biggest events and he will have to qualify for the World Championships.
A former World Champion, qualification into the biggest tournaments is certainly no guarantee and Robertson certainly learnt that the hard way when missing out in the final round of qualification in 2024.
With many believing that his best days were behind him, Robertson offered a timely reminder of his talents when shocking the world when winning the 2024 English Open.
Results like that show what a good player he still is and that when on song he can still beat any player in the world. At 42, some may believe that his best days are behind him but he still has plenty of time on his side. With his career at a crossroads and facing a battle to make the top 16 in time for the World Championship, how he starts 2025 will be crucial and it will be fascinating to see how he fares.
Si Juahui
It’s no secret that in recent years snooker in China has exploded and many within the game believe that it is only a matter of time before the sport is dominated by young Chinese talent.
Whereas the sport in the West is constantly battling for attention against several other major sports, in China the game is flourishing and the many tournaments that are now played in the country are always well attended. Despite the huge rise in popularity that the game has enjoyed, surprisingly a Chinese player is still yet to win the World Championship but there will be huge hopes that record will change with Si Juahui.
At just 22, Si is one of the brightest spots in the sport and finds himself ranked just outside of the top 10. Although he is yet to land himself a first ranking title, there is a general feeling that the first elusive first title will arrive in 2025.
A beaten finalist at the 2024 Wuhan Open when narrowly falling to compatriot Xiao Guodong, he also showcased his talents when reaching the semifinals of the Saudi Arabia Masters.
Due to get better with time and with more experience, Si is quickly becoming a name in the draw that most are fearing and few would be surprised if he didn’t finish his career with several major titles in the bag.
Yize Wu
Another young Chinese star to make an impact in 2024 was Yize Wu, aged just 21, Wu has enjoyed a brilliant year which has seen him climb the rankings. Currently ranked 25th in the overall rankings, a place in the top 16 might be beyond him by the March cutoff, but due to be a top seed at World Championship qualifying, he will be a player that everyone will be keen to avoid in the first round.
Wu will head into 2025 as one of the games form men. Having reached the semifinals of the Snooker Shoot Out, he then went one stage further when falling in the final of the 2024 Scottish Open.
There is excitement in the game that a rivalry with the slightly older Si Juahui could turn into an all time great rivalry, there are certainly many who believe that Wu could well become the country’s first ever World Champion.
On a trajectory that looks like showing no signs of stopping, few would be surprised if by this time next year, Wu is one of the biggest names in the sport.
Jonathan Ashby
Jonathan Ashby, at 35, boasts a deep well of knowledge about the world of snooker. A specialist with a passion for the game's history, techniques, and players, he provides invaluable insights to both novices and seasoned enthusiasts. Through his articles, Jonathan aims to share the rich tapestry and nuances of this beloved cue sport.
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