Luca Brecel has spoken about a 'strange health phenomenon' that severely impacted his snooker career last season, leaving doctors unable to explain or treat his debilitating fatigue. The 2023 world champion, now 31, says the mysterious condition has eased, allowing him to rediscover his motivation and compete again.
Unexplained fatigue plagued Brecel
For much of the previous season, Brecel struggled with heavy fatigue that did not improve with rest. He consulted multiple doctors but received no diagnosis or cure. 'I never really found out what it was,' Brecel told Metro. 'I've always felt great in my life, then all of a sudden something changed without something happening. So it was a strange phenomenon.' He described the fatigue as unlike normal tiredness: 'Sleeping didn't help, so it was a frustrating thing.'
Brecel dismissed suggestions of stress or burnout, noting his lifestyle is not stressful. 'My whole life is just doing things I like, so it's not that stressful.' He has now started feeling better and is able to play and enjoy snooker again.
Withdrawals and return to form
The Belgian Bullet withdrew from several events while dealing with the problem. He is still working to regain the form that won him the World Championship and three ranking titles. However, he showed promise by topping his group at the Championship League on Wednesday with three wins from three matches, despite earlier losses in qualifiers for the Wuhan Open and China Open.
'I'm really motivated,' Brecel said. 'I'm going to try to do the best I can, try to win tournaments and be in the top 16 again.' He added, 'The hunger is there, the talent is there, the experience is there. I've got all the tools in the box, but it's just about time I guess.'
Life after world title
Brecel's stunning 2023 World Championship victory saw him beat Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, and Mark Selby, and produce the biggest comeback in Crucible history against Si Jiahui. However, he struggled with the attention that followed. 'After the Worlds, maybe too much distraction, too much attention,' he said. 'Not my lifestyle, just getting recognised on the street everywhere you go.' He clarified it was not pressure but distraction that affected him.
His 'rock n roll' reputation, partly fueled by his own admission of being drunk after a match, was overstated. 'Maybe I shouldn't have said in the interview that I was drunk after a game, because that was the only time I was drunk, maybe in the last five years!' he explained.
Ambition for another world title
Despite his relaxed demeanor, Brecel is driven to win another world championship. 'I still think about it. It's always going to be special and my dream now is to do it again,' he said. At 31, he considers himself young in the current snooker era, noting that rivals like Kyren Wilson and Judd Trump are older. 'I'm younger than them, never mind Robertson or O'Sullivan and Higgins. But you have to take your chances at the right time.'
He is also expecting his first child in December, adding a new dimension to his life.
No Belgian tournament, but eyes on US
Despite his world title, no professional snooker tournament emerged in Belgium. Brecel said he 'couldn't care less' and enjoys playing wherever tournaments are scheduled. He suggested a US event, but noted the fanbase is small: 'I played an exhibition there and there was about 25 people. One of them didn't even know the rules.'
Brecel will continue his campaign at the Championship League on Friday, facing Hossein Vafaei, Pang Junxu, and Ian Burns.
