Ding Junhui sends British snooker players brutal reality check as he predicts Chinese era of domination

 The veteran has been responsible for a huge growth of snooker in China, with a record number of Chinese players at the Crucible

Ding Junhui has taken aim at British players, believing that Chinese youngsters are more dedicated(Image: 2025 VCG)

Ding Junhui reckons China's dominance of snooker is just beginning. And he knows why British players will struggle to compete.

The 38-year-old survived a scare against rank outsider Zak Surety at the World Championship in Sheffield to book his spot in the second round as he goes in search of a first world title.

Ding headlines a 10 strong list of Chinese entrants for this year's event, with Zhao Xintong ranked alongside Mark Selby and Judd Trump as one of the favourites to lift the sport's biggest prize.

No Chinese player has ever won at the Crucible, but Scots hero Stephen Hendry has already predicted that will change in the very near future, and Ding has warned his fellow countrymen are just getting started.

He now lives in Sheffield, running an academy that is home to some of China's most exciting young stars - and anticipates big things from them very soon.

Speaking to SportsBoom Ding said: "This year with 10 Chinese players at the Crucible, I think it’s just the start.

“In the future they’ll be more Chinese players coming through the qualifiers and that are already in the top 16. There is many many Chinese players that are ready to play pro, some are already pro but haven’t qualified yet.

“I believe in the next few years. Once they have improved their games and become more experienced in tournaments, you just wait and see.

"I think the young British players aren’t fully focused on one sport, and they’re so free on what they do during the day. “Chinese snooker players are focused from day to day. That’s how they become strong from such a young age.”

World No.1 Judd Trump has already said that the Brits face a major challenge to continue their dominance, telling the BBC: "It’s worrying times for the rest of the game I think if they keep up that kind of work ethic and hunger that maybe some of the younger generation don’t have any more.

“It’s up to me and the likes of Mark Selby and a few others to kind of keep them just that little bit behind."

Qualifier Lei Peifan ended Kyren Wilson's Crucible defence on the opening day(Image: 2025 VCG)

Ding however is keen not to heap the pressure on his fellow countrymen, adding: "The future is bright.

“There’s so many young players now growing up and improving quickly. Some of them are already winning titles — it’s amazing.

“I love to see them all practising well. They’re all living in the UK now, and they look much happier after winning tournaments.

“Xiao Guodong, Wu Yize, and Lei Peifan are all doing much better this season. They’re playing to win it. I see they’re all at that level.

“Most of them are still very young, so I would not put too much pressure on them.

“They still have a long way to go. They need to keep practising and doing the same things, and then who knows — they could go on to win it in however many years.”