Mark Williams believes that the return of crowds to snooker arenas has given a boost to the top players, as he looks forward to the BetVictor English Open in Milton Keynes.
Three-time Crucible king Williams will be part of a stellar field in the BetVictor Home Nations event which runs from November 1st to 7th, alongside the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Mark Allen, Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Stephen Hendry and defending champion Judd Trump.
The Marshall Arena at Stadium MK in Milton Keynes has hosted nearly 20 tournaments behind closed doors during the coronavirus pandemic, and will now welcome fans for the first time.
“This game needs crowds, when you play with no one there, there is no atmosphere,” said Welshman Williams, who won the British Open in front of a packed arena in Leicester at the start of the current season. “When you are tied 4-4, that’s when you need that adrenaline rush. That’s when you have to stand up and make breaks under pressure. Without crowds there was no pressure.
“There’s nothing like watching live sport, there is nothing better than being in the arena. It has been tough times for everyone, and the more fans we get into the venues now, the better.”
At the age of 46, Williams is still a regular winner of titles and his British Open triumph put him top of the one-year ranking list which leaves him well place to qualify for the events in the Cazoo Series later in the season.
“I’ve got to be happy to win one title in a year,” he added. “I can freeroll for the rest of the season because it puts me into a lot of the other tournaments.”
Watch the full interview with Williams here.
Tickets for the BetVictor English Open start at just £10, with all-day tickets from just £20! For all details click here. The opening day of the tournament, Monday November 1st, will see all of the top 16 players in action. An incredible chance to see the world’s finest for just £20! For the match schedule click here.
The tournament will be televised by Quest, Eurosport, Matchroom Live and a range of other global broadcasters.
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