Barry Hawkins' emotional victory at the Welsh Open earlier this month has quickly become a bittersweet memory, as a persistent back injury has derailed his momentum in the snooker world. The 46-year-old, known as The Hawk, secured his fifth career ranking title in Llandudno by defeating Jack Lisowski in a thrilling final, overcoming tough opponents like Mark Williams, Neil Robertson, and Wu Yize along the way.
Injury Struggles Overshadow Triumph
Hawkins revealed that he was "literally seconds from pulling out" of the Welsh Open due to severe back pain, but was persuaded by fellow players Neil Robertson and Mark Selby to manage the discomfort with painkillers and compete. This decision paid off with a championship win, but the underlying issue persisted, forcing Hawkins to withdraw from the subsequent World Open in Yushan, China.
In an interview with Metro, Hawkins expressed his frustration, stating, "It's funny you should say that, because it's mad. That tournament seems like a distant memory already, it's weird." He added, "It would have been nice going to the next tournament in China coming off the back of a win, but I just couldn't go. My back was just too sore."
Recovery Efforts and Diagnosis
After the Welsh Open, Hawkins took a week off to rest, perform stretches, and attempt recovery. However, when he tried to practice, his back remained "too stiff and sore," leading to the difficult decision to skip the World Open. An osteopath later diagnosed the problem as a disc bulge, with Hawkins noting that the pain has since eased. He described the initial severity, saying, "When I was at the Welsh, it was painful every morning. Getting out of bed was a nightmare, I couldn't put my shoes or socks on."
Despite the setback, Hawkins remains optimistic, commenting, "It's a lot better now. I'll be all right. It will be nice to just get up in the morning and have no discomfort."
Post-Victory Celebrations and Future Challenges
Following his Welsh Open win, Hawkins indulged in a celebratory night with friends, involving "way too many tequilas" that left him with a sore head the next day. Looking ahead, his focus shifts to the upcoming Tour Championship in Manchester, starting Monday, and the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible next month.
Hawkins has a mixed record at the Crucible, with early struggles including five first-round losses, followed by a successful period with four semi-finals and a final in six years. Recently, however, he has faced three first-round defeats and a qualification failure since 2005. Reflecting on this, he said, "When I look back, it's an amazing record, really. In that six-year period when I was always getting to the one-table set-up. But since then it's been very disappointing."
He expressed hope for the current season, adding, "This season, it'd be lovely to go there and get past the first hurdle and feel part of the tournament again, because it feels like a long time since I've been part of it."
As Hawkins prepares for the Tour Championship, he acknowledges the uncertainty in his confidence, stating, "I think the confidence...well until I go back out there on Monday I won't really know, but I feel pretty good in my game. I just need to get a few more hours in on the table." The injury has cast a shadow over his recent success, but Hawkins remains determined to reclaim his form in the competitive snooker circuit.
