Zhao Xintong isn’t just returning to the snooker spotlight—he’s reclaiming it with boldness and belief. Ahead of the 2025 Shanghai Masters, the Chinese star declared, “I came into Shanghai Masters as a champ, and I will be going back as a champ.” It’s not just a catchy soundbite—it’s a statement loaded with confidence, redemption, and a burning desire to restore his place among the game’s elite.
Zhao, once dubbed the “Prince of Flair,” captured the imagination of snooker fans around the world with his breakthrough win at the 2021 UK Championship and rapid rise into the top tier of the sport. But the road since then hasn’t been smooth. His career was disrupted by off-table controversies and a suspension that saw him miss a full season of competitive play. While some questioned whether he could return to his best, Zhao quietly worked on rebuilding himself—physically, mentally, and professionally.
Now, as the Shanghai Masters looms, Zhao’s homecoming carries immense symbolic weight. For a player whose career once sparkled with promise, this event represents a stage for resurrection. It’s not just about winning frames—it’s about proving he belongs.
“I’ve changed a lot,” Zhao admitted in a recent interview. “I’ve learned from my mistakes. I’m more focused, more mature. But one thing hasn’t changed: I love this game, and I know I can still play at the very top.”
The Shanghai Masters, an invitational event featuring the world’s top-ranked players and China’s finest, is notoriously competitive. With the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan, Judd Trump, and Luca Brecel in the mix, Zhao knows he must bring more than just talent—he needs nerve, discipline, and composure. But if recent practice sessions and domestic tournament form are anything to go by, he’s sharpening all those tools.
What makes Zhao’s story compelling isn’t just his talent—it’s the way he blends style and substance. His aggressive potting, rapid pace, and fearless shot selection can rattle even the steeliest opponents. But now, there’s a renewed edge to his mindset. He’s not just playing to entertain—he’s playing to win.
“Winning in Shanghai would mean everything,” Zhao said. “It’s my home, my people. After everything that’s happened, I want to make them proud again.”
Whether or not he lifts the trophy this time, Zhao Xintong’s journey is already one of revival. But if he does go all the way, it will be more than a title—it will be a statement that the champ is back, not just in name, but in spirit and substance.
And as he put it himself, with a calm grin that hides steely resolve: “I came into Shanghai Masters as a champ, and I will be going back as a champ.”
