Stan Moody is setting his sights on snooker’s biggest names and intends to achieve success on his own terms. The 19-year-old made a memorable debut at the Crucible this year, losing in the first round but leaving a lasting impression on the sport’s grandest stage.
A Debut to Remember
Moody became the youngest British debutant at the Crucible since Judd Trump in 2007. He faced world number two Kyren Wilson and looked at home on the big stage, compiling two centuries and establishing a 6-3 lead after the first session. However, things took a turn when he led 7-3, as he lost several tight frames and ultimately fell 10-7.
Despite the painful defeat, Moody is determined to learn from the experience. “I enjoyed it,” he said. “Loving the crowd, the atmosphere, just fully zoned in. The arena was a bit different to what I thought, probably bigger, but the crowd were class. A Yorkshire crowd cheering me on, wanting me to win. It was good, a good laugh.”
He added: “The venue didn’t really affect me. I still loved being there even when I were losing. It was just the match that were doing my head in a bit. I lost some bad frames, but I learned a lot and hopefully I’ll get back there next year and do better.”
Learning from the Loss
The Yorkshireman was frustrated that he could not close out the match after building such a lead but takes confidence from pushing a former world champion to the brink. “I were excited about the first session. I just thought, if I go and do what I’ve done this morning, I can’t really lose. That weren’t an overconfidence thing, that was just what was happening,” Moody explained.
“I missed a red to go 8-3 and it’s completely changed the match. If that red goes in, I’d probably win 10-3 because Kyren were gone. He couldn’t make 30. But I took a lot from that. I know he were saying about his cue and whatever else, but if he were winning, he probably wouldn’t have been saying that. It were a chance missed, but I took a lot of confidence from it. Shutting out the world number two for all that time and making him go. That was probably the most positive thing I took from it.”
Criticism of Wilson’s Celebration
Moody was less impressed by Wilson’s celebrations after the comeback. “The celebration at the end, I thought it were a bit disgusting, to be honest,” he said. “A world champion, world number two, I think it were a bit out of order, but it is what it is. I think Shaun Murphy said that he’s got every right to do that. He has got every right to do it, but I think a lot of people looked at that and said he shouldn’t really be doing that. I wouldn’t have done that at his stage against a young lad, first time there, but everyone’s different. It obviously meant a lot to him to beat me, so good on him. I’m not bitter at all. He got to 10 first and it is what it is. Classy player and I’ll try to beat him next time.”
Attacking Philosophy
Moody is learning when to turn down shots while maintaining his attacking instincts. “I’m just learning what shots to take on at the right time. But still, if I fancy a shot I’m going to go for it,” he said. “In my first season I was trying to play too much safety and playing scared. Then in my second season I attacked a bit more and last season I attacked even more and it definitely helped. I think you’ve just got to play the shot you fancy at the time. If you get it wrong, you get it wrong. But that’s how I enjoy playing and having fun.”
He dismissed Wilson’s comment about going for ridiculous balls: “In my head, they’re not ridiculous shots. They’re shots that I know I can get. I didn’t really understand when he said that, but everyone’s different. Every player is different and everyone sees the game differently. That’s how I see the game at the minute. I might change as I get a bit older, but that’s how I enjoy playing. I think if they go in, it scares your opponent and that’s how I like to play.”
Eyes on the Top
The world number 40 aims to prove that he can compete with the experienced players, including the talented Chinese youngsters. “That’s how Xintong plays and look at what Xintong’s won. I’d say Judd’s gone quite negative. Maybe that’s why he’s not winning as much. Who knows? But Xintong, Wu Yize, obviously I’ve not won what they’ve won, but I think I play a similar way to them. I wouldn’t say they’re reckless shots. They’re not stupid. There’s some thought going into them. Obviously, you’ve got to find a good balance. You can’t go all out attack or you just get beat. But if you find a good balance like Wu and Xintong, then you’d be very hard to beat.”
