Ricky Walden

Ricky Walden's 2024/2025 snooker season has showcased both resilience and high-calibre play, marking a significant resurgence in his professional form. The season commenced with a strong performance in the 2024 Championship League (ranking), where Walden secured victories over Umut Dikme and Rory Thor in Group 24. Despite a close 1–3 loss to Martin O'Donnell, he narrowly missed progressing to the next stage.

In the 2025 Championship League (invitational), Walden was a late addition to Group 7 but made an immediate impact. He achieved wins against Zhou Yuelong, Xiao Guodong, Noppon Saengkham, and Joe O'Connor, finishing just behind Xiao in the group standings. His performance included impressive breaks of 95 and 97, underscoring his competitive edge.

Walden's momentum continued at the 2025 German Masters, where he notched victories over Ryan Day and Dylan Emery, advancing to the last 16. Unfortunately, a medical emergency forced him to withdraw before his scheduled match against Barry Hawkins, resulting in a walkover. This unexpected setback interrupted what could have been his first ranking quarter-final appearance since the 2023 Northern Ireland Open.

Throughout the season, Walden has demonstrated his scoring prowess, amassing multiple century breaks across various tournaments. Notably, he recorded a 137 at the Xi'an Grand Prix and multiple centuries in the Championship League, including breaks of 130, 117, and 102. These achievements highlight his enduring skill and determination on the professional circuit.

As the season progresses, Walden's performances reflect a commendable return to form, offering promising prospects for the remainder of the tour.

Ricky Walden's 2023/2024 snooker season was marked by a blend of resilience, notable performances, and health challenges. Despite not clinching a major title, Walden demonstrated his enduring competitiveness on the professional circuit.

A highlight of Walden's season was his impressive run in the 2024 Championship League, where he reached the final against John Higgins. Throughout the tournament, he showcased his scoring prowess, registering seven century breaks, including a top break of 142 . Additionally, he advanced to the quarter-finals of the Northern Ireland Open, underscoring his consistent form.

In the 2024 German Masters, Walden displayed strong form with victories over Ryan Day and Dylan Emery. However, his progress was halted when he had to withdraw from his last-16 match against Barry Hawkins due to a medical emergency. He was hospitalized with pancreatitis, necessitating gallbladder surgery.

Despite this setback, Walden made a commendable return to competition. He participated in the Welsh Open qualifiers and continued to compete in subsequent tournaments. At the World Championship qualifiers, he secured a narrow 10-9 victory over Barry Hawkins but was defeated 10-3 by Zak Surety in the following round.

Throughout the season, Walden's dedication to the sport remained evident. His ability to produce high-quality snooker, even in the face of health challenges, reflects his professionalism and passion for the game. As he looks ahead, Walden aims to build on this season's experiences and strive for further success in the upcoming tournaments.

Ricky Walden's 2022/2023 snooker season was marked by a blend of resilience, notable performances, and a return to form on the professional circuit. Over the course of the season, he achieved 20 victories and faced 20 defeats, reflecting a balanced performance throughout various tournaments.

A highlight of Walden's season was his qualification for the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre. In a gripping first-round match, he faced Luca Brecel and, despite a valiant effort, narrowly lost 10–9. This match was particularly significant as Brecel went on to win the championship, marking Walden's performance as a strong showing against the eventual titleholder.

In the 2023 English Open, Walden demonstrated remarkable tenacity. Facing Graeme Dott in the last 32, he managed a stunning comeback from a 3–0 deficit, eventually winning 4–3. This victory, highlighted by a 134 break, was described by Walden as the best comeback of his career.

Walden's performance in the Championship League was also noteworthy. He advanced through multiple group stages, showcasing consistent play and securing several victories against top-tier opponents. His journey in the tournament underscored his competitive edge and ability to perform under pressure.

Throughout the season, Walden's scoring ability was evident, as he amassed a total of 17 century breaks. Notable contributions included five centuries during the World Championship qualifiers and five in the Championship League, with his highest break being 138 at the Welsh Open.

Overall, the 2022/2023 season highlighted Ricky Walden's resilience and skill, marking a period of significant achievements and a reaffirmation of his status within professional snooker.

Ricky Walden's 2020/2021 snooker season marked a significant step forward in his career, reflecting his resilience and determination to return to top form. After grappling with back injuries that had previously hindered his performance, Walden demonstrated notable progress throughout the season.

At the 2020 UK Championship, Walden showcased his skill by defeating Rod Lawler, Ashley Carty, and Mark Williams, advancing to the last 16 before falling to Judd Trump. His momentum continued at the Scottish Open, where he reached the quarter-finals after impressive victories over Tom Ford and Mark Allen, eventually being narrowly defeated by Mark Selby.

In the 2021 World Snooker Championship, Walden qualified for the Crucible for the first time in three years by overcoming Peter Lines and Ryan Day in the qualifying rounds. Although he was eliminated in the first round by Anthony McGill, his qualification signified a positive trajectory in his comeback.

Statistically, Walden's season included 24 victories and 18 defeats, with a commendable 60% success rate in deciding frames. He also achieved 13 century breaks, highlighting his scoring prowess.

Overall, the 2020/2021 season was a period of consolidation and progress for Ricky Walden, laying a solid foundation for future successes on the professional snooker circuit.

Ricky Walden's 2019/2020 snooker season was marked by moments of promise and resilience, as he continued his efforts to re-establish himself among the sport's elite. His standout performance came at the 2019 English Open, where he advanced to the quarter-finals. En-route, Walden secured notable victories over Michael Holt and Thepchaiya Un-Nooh. His run concluded with a narrow 5–4 defeat to David Gilbert in a closely contested match.

In the 2019 UK Championship, Walden progressed to the second round but was eliminated following a 6–2 loss to Martin O'Donnell. Earlier in the season, he participated in the Paul Hunter Classic, where he faced 13-year-old Iulian Boiko in the opening round. Walden secured a victory in that match but was subsequently defeated by Luca Brecel in the quarter-finals.

Throughout the season, Walden demonstrated his scoring capabilities, amassing a total of 85 breaks over 50 points, including 18 century breaks. These statistics underscore his enduring proficiency and competitiveness on the professional circuit.

Despite facing challenges in advancing to the later stages of tournaments, Walden's performances during the 2019/2020 season reflected his determination and potential for resurgence in subsequent seasons.