I won the World Snooker Championship and was given highest praise by six-time champ who doesn’t speak to me
LUCA BRECEL received high praise from a six-time world champion after winning the 2023 World Snooker Championship.
The Belgian Bullet beat Mark Selby in last year’s final to claim his first world title.
He returns to the Crucible this month as the top seed, with the main draw getting underway on Saturday.
Reflecting on his triumph 12 months ago, Brecel has admitted his performances were hailed by snooker icon Steve Davis.
The Nugget told the 29-year-old it was the best way he had seen the tournament won.
Brecel pulled off the biggest comeback ever at the Crucible after recovering from 14-5 down to beat Si Jiahui 17-15 in the semi-finals.
Recalling his encounter with Davis, he told the Metro: “I think 100 per cent [it was a classic World Championship], not just my way to the final, but everyone, the way they played and what happened.
“Ronnie and Hossein [Vafaei], stuff like that. Lots of things were happening. Amazing tournament.
“Steve Davis, he never really talks to me, not because he doesn’t want to talk to me, he’s just busy doing other things, but I saw him in the lift one day after the World Championship and he said it was the best way he ever saw anyone win it.
“That was a big compliment because you could see he was really serious.
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“I have watched the final and semi-final back a couple of times and it was quite incredible.”
Brecel has even been tipped to successfully defend his title by seven-time winner Ronnie O’Sullivan.
The world number four goes into the tournament after undergoing a dramatic body transformation that has seen him lose more than a stone.
He has also been adding to his impressive car collection, which includes an upgraded £250,000 Ferrari.
However, he could not land the top prize on a Belgian TV show back in February.
Brecel missed out on a place in the final of Blokken after making an appearance two years after initially applying.
Instead, he was forced to settle for the consolation prize of a printer from the show.
'Smoking too much weed and bulk-buying too much Smirnoff' - Inside Ronnie O'Sullivan's yo-yo health battle
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S snooker career almost went up in smoke after buying “too much weed and Smirnoff.”
Ronnie has long linked his performances on the baize with the ups and down in his diet and exercise regime.
The Rocket he has suffered a lifetime of yo-yoing weight, addiction and mental health struggles, and an often unhealthy relationship with food and fitness.
O’Sullivan ballooned to 16st on vodka and takeaways as a troubled teen, while “puffing like a maniac”.
Then, after turning his life around, he even saw his form decline after doing to TOO MUCH exercise.
Now right back to his best, the seven-time world champion has opened up on his struggles.
Click here to read more about Ronnie’s incredible life…