Snooker LIVE: Zhao Xintong's camp sends warning as star loses almost half of £500k prize
The fallout from this weekend's World Snooker Championship final continues, as all eyes remain fixed on champion Zhao Xintong. Aged just 28 years old, Zhao is being tipped to dominate the sport for years to come, with suggestions he could challenge the likes of Ronnie O'Sullivan for the number of titles he wins.
If he plays anything like he did en route to winning his first world title in future Crucible events, the potter will stand a very good chance. But he could be one of several Chinese players dominating snooker for years to come, with the nation being tipped to take over the sport.
For now though, the snooker world continues to bask in Zhao's achievement, as the celebrations continue following Monday's triumph. Express Sport keeps you across all the latest snooker news...
Zhao Xintong has been tipped to eclipse Ronnie O'Sullivan by becoming the richest snooker player of all time.
WPBSA chief Jason Ferguson said after the Chinese potter took the Crucible crown: “He has the potential to become the richest-earning player in the history of the sport. That’s quite a bold statement when you think about the titles players like Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan won.
“But the size of the market is huge and when you see the association of the brands who want to partner with snooker, it has endless potential. This is one of the biggest occasions snooker has seen. Snooker in China is treated like any national sport. To see a world champion returning to China a national hero is really going to send the sport to another level."
Judd Trump has claimed young English snooker players aren't prepared to "work as hard" as their Chinese counterparts.
Speaking after Zhao Xintong's World Championship win, he said: “I just think kids from the UK don’t want to work as hard. It is as simple as that.
“I don’t think they have less chances. I don’t think they want it as bad as some of the players over there.
“A lot of kids nowadays probably, their lifestyle is too luxurious. They want all the latest gadgets, and trainers and not willing to lock themselves in a room for 5-6 hours a day, which many of the Chinese players do.
“They are hungrier than them. That is my attitude. Apart from a couple of players, Stan Moody, is one of them, who looks like he wants it and works hard.
“But other than that, I don’t think the hunger is there to be honest. And you can see that when they play.”
Zhao Xintong could lose up to half of the £500,000 he pocketed for winning the World Snooker Championship.
The Chinese potter waltzed his way to a first-ever world title, but as he moved to the United Kingdom back in 2016 and has a registered address on Companies House, he'll be subject to tax regulations.
It's estimated he'll be taxed £204,299, with a further £19,611 deducted for National Insurance contributions, as per WalesOnline.
Zhao Xintong, snooker's latest star boy, has been sent a warning by his own manager following his World Championship triumph.
Victoria Shi, who manages the Chinese ace, said: "Let him enjoy [the prize money. But if he enjoys it too much, I will tell him off. He is the first Asian world champion and that is huge. But it is my job to make sure he stays grounded."
Is anybody else desperately missing the snooker action already? It's always the case in the immediate aftermath of the World Championship, but after such a stunning tournament this time around, the post-Crucible blues are hitting hard.
That hasn't stopped the fallout from Zhao Xintong's sensational victory from continuing, with Express Sport keeping you across all of the latest news and views from the world of snooker. Stick around throughout the day as we keep you updated, while reliving some of the best moments from the 2025 World Snooker Championship.
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