Zhao Xintong’s Return: A Controversial Star Back in Action
The last time Zhao Xintong made headlines, it wasn’t just for spectacular snooker. His rapid rise had put him among the sport’s elite, especially after crushing Yan Bingtao 9-0 in an unforgettable whitewash at the 2022 German Masters final. At that moment, everyone was talking about the young Chinese player as the next big thing in snooker. But then the match-fixing scandal hit, and just like that, his career was put on pause.
Fast forward to the 2024 UK Championship, and Zhao's name is stirring up debate all over again. Only now he’s not stepping out as a top seed or world number nine, but as an amateur, trying to claw back his spot in the sport after a damaging suspension. Fans and critics alike have watched closely as he battled through four pressure-packed qualifying rounds just to get a place at the Last 32 stage. Facing the ever-formidable Shaun Murphy, a former world champion, was never going to be easy—even in top form. And, after a wave of anticipation, Zhao was knocked out in that opening tie.
But dig a little deeper, and it’s clear his comeback is about more than a single match. Bookmakers listed him as the fifth favourite to win it all, giving him 14-1 odds despite his outsider status. It’s not often an unseeded amateur gets those kind of numbers, especially after such a public fall from grace. The fact is, the snooker world hasn’t forgotten the jaw-dropping skill that brought him to global attention in the first place. He’s only 33, but his career already reads like a rollercoaster—flashy wins, a sensational ban, and now a public quest for redemption in one of the sport’s biggest arenas.
Snooker Reeling From Scandal and the Road Ahead
Zhao’s story is a case study in the chaos that ripples out from match-fixing scandals. His suspension came hard on the heels of his best run, cutting off momentum just as his style—marked by daring, speedy shots and a touch of swagger—was changing the way young players saw the game. Instead of chasing more titles, he was sidelined, sparking huge conversations about integrity and pressure inside the world of professional snooker, especially for China’s crop of rising stars.
Now, there’s a different kind of pressure. Every frame Zhao competes in, every pot he sinks, gets dissected not just for skill, but for signs that he can rebuild his image and status. The much-discussed odds don’t just reflect his break-building ability—they’re a measure of hope and expectation that he can re-enter the snooker elite after a stretch no one wants on their resume. Will he manage it? There are plenty who believe he’s got the raw talent and mental steel to get back into the top ranks. His performance at this UK Championship, even in early defeat, showed flashes of what made him a sensation just a couple of years ago.
As for the rest of the field, nobody’s taking Zhao lightly. His presence signals that no story is ever quite finished in snooker, no matter how steep the fall. With the UK Championship stage set and the spotlight glaring, Zhao Xintong’s bid to bounce back is one of the most watched—and talked about—returns in years.