Zhao Xintong Returns to Guangdong with Girlfriend; Referee Speaks Out; Murphy Clarifies World Championship Controversy

After winning the World Snooker Championship, Zhao Xintong has returned to China, bringing his girlfriend along to visit his parents in Guangdong. Although she wore a mask, fans still recognized her—after all, the championship ceremony attracted a lot of attention. This time, she appeared petite and charming, and her facial features and hairstyle exuded elegance.

Notably, the 32-year-old Bulgarian referee of the World Championship final, Bozhilova, recently posted on social media to congratulate Zhao again, expressing her genuine admiration—purely professional. Zhao has a girlfriend, and Bozhilova has a boyfriend. As a referee, one gets the best view of the match and enjoys the most freedom of movement around the table.

Meanwhile, in Guangzhou for the International Billiards Expo, Shaun Murphy publicly addressed the heated online debate over Zhao’s championship points. He clarified that Zhao Xintong is a deserving champion and that he has no issues with him personally. Murphy had previously made it clear that his criticisms were aimed at the WPBSA’s wildcard rules, not Zhao. His earlier frustrations stemmed from being knocked out by a wildcard entry, which led to some misunderstanding and backlash from Chinese fans.

Murphy is widely appreciated for his playing style and technique, as well as his straightforward personality. Although his recent comments sparked controversy, his intention was to critique the system, not the player. As a viewer, I admire many players—not only Chinese ones—such as O'Sullivan, Higgins, Trump, and Selby. Zhao Xintong, too, stood out from the beginning. After overcoming past setbacks, he now shows improved control, calmness, and rhythm at the table, and I believe he will go far in the sport.

From the perspective of the global snooker body, snooker has significant popularity mainly in the UK and China. China has just over 30 professional snooker players, out of only around 100 worldwide. Many play snooker recreationally rather than professionally. Unlike tennis, snooker’s professionalization is still limited. Though the £500,000 prize for the World Championship exceeds that of table tennis or badminton, it still pales in comparison to Grand Slam tennis tournaments.

The commercial value of an athlete largely depends on the overall value of the sport and their regional ranking. Thanks to pioneers like Ding Junhui, snooker has a growing foothold in China. As players like Zhao Xintong continue to succeed, the entire industry stands to benefit. Chinese investment in snooker is a positive sign—after all, the sport as a whole gains from it.