Mark Williams is not bothered by much and that includes his unique World Snooker Championship introduction from announcer Rob Walker.
The 51-year-old is bidding for a fourth world title, suggesting he would run naked down a motorway if he manages to lift the trophy again in his sixth decade.
His campaign got off to a good start with a 10-4 win over Polish debutant Antoni Kowalski, booking himself a last 16 clash with Barry Hawkins.
During his win over Kowalski, Walker gave Williams the kind of intro you wouldn’t hear in many major sporting events.
The MC said on the Crucible microphone: ’29 years ago on this very day, it was his turn to be the fresh-faced 22-year-old debutant with boyish good looks, a full head of hair and perfect vision. How little has changed in the intervening years!
‘He hasn’t been to a barber in decades, but lest we forget, he remains one of our all-time greats. Finalist at 49, three times a champion du monde, it wouldn’t be a Worlds without Willo. Here he comes. The irrepressible, irreplaceable Mark J. Williams!’
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It is not the most complimentary introduction you’ll ever hear, leading to fans thinking the Welshman might not have been impressed, but the famously relaxed Williams could not care less.
Asked if he liked the intro, Williams said: ‘Yeah, cheeky little…! I liked it when he said…did he say something like, 10 years and not seen a barber? I liked that, that was good.
‘Look, I don’t mind what Rob says. He said to me: “You don’t get upset, do you?” I say: “Rob, come on, you can say whatever you want to me, I couldn’t give a monkey’s. Just say what you want.”
‘I didn’t think he was coming out with that! That was a good one. He’s going to have to up that next time now.
‘He can do whatever, he can say whatever he wants. It makes no difference to me. The more stick I get, the more I like it. That’s why I’m on Twitter, for a bit of stick, really.’
Williams has long been known for his relaxed demeanour on and off the table, which he says is down to his family roots.
‘I just don’t take the game too seriously,’ he said. ‘I’ve always said it for years. My father and grandfather between them, like 60-70 years, they were down a pit, digging coal for 13 hours a shift.
‘I’m playing a little hobby sport really, some people don’t class it as a sport. I’m playing something for a living.
‘I haven’t got to do nothing really, just go to the club, practise, go to the tournaments and try your best. I’m one of the lucky ones. You’ve got so many tournaments to play in now, it’s fantastic to be involved in them.’
Williams takes on Hawkins for a place in the quarter-finals over three sessions, starting on Friday morning and finishing on Saturday night.