Kyren Wilson has withdrawn from the Championship League after his home was burgled while he played in the tournament on Monday.
The 2024 world snooker champion was competing at the Mattioli Arena in Leicester in the opening day of the ranking event.
The 34-year-old started off in perfect fashion, beating Haydon Pinhey 3-0 in the 11am start, but unknown to him at the time, his house was being burgled as he played.
TW Sports Management, Wilson’s management run by brother Taylor, confirmed in an official statement from the Warrior on Monday afternoon.
The statement from the world number eight read: ‘This morning, between 11:04am and 11:22am, my home was burgled while I was away competing in the Championship League Snooker event in Leicester.
‘The offenders were captured on CCTV and stole several items of significant sentimental and financial value, including a Cartier watch, an Audemars Piguet watch, a ladies’ Rolex Datejust with a pink dial, and a blue sapphire necklace that I bought for my wife to celebrate our 10-year wedding anniversary.
Are you snooker loopy?
You’re in the right place. I’m Phil Haigh, and I cover the game we all love for Metro.
In my newsletter, The Table, I analyse the biggest talking points, pull back the curtain on the sport and crown the biggest winners and losers every week.
‘They also stole £2,000 in cash that had been set aside as a donation to the BeMoreFab Children’s Cancer Charity, making this incident even more upsetting for our family.
‘This has been a deeply distressing experience, not because of the value of the items alone, but because of the personal memories and meaning attached to them.
‘The matter has been reported to the police and the CCTV footage is being reviewed. If anyone has any information that may assist the investigation, or is offered any of the items described above, please get in touch immediately.
‘I would appreciate it if people could share this post to help raise awareness and assist in recovering these items. Thank you for your support.’
The distressing news from home meant Wilson’s Championship League campaign ended after that win over Pinhey.
He withdrew from the rest of his group matches, with Pinhey, Dylan Emery and Michal Szubarczyk scrapping it out to top the group and progress to the next stage of the tournament.
The forced and unpleasant nature of the withdrawal is a blow to Wilson’s early-season plans.
He will now not be in action again until the Shanghai Masters, which starts on July 27.
With only four top 16 players involved in the Championship League – Zhao Xintong, Si Jiahui and Chris Wakelin the others – Wilson was one of the favourites to pick up the trophy.