German Masters winner Mark Williams has revealed how he came close to quitting snooker a year ago because he was fed up of not competing in matches.

Mark Williams. Picture by Monique Limbos

The Welshman is enjoying his best season in 15 years after collecting his second ranking title of the campaign after beating Graeme Dott 9-1 in Berlin.

Earlier this season Williams won the Northern Ireland Open and also lifted the Six Red World Championship though the latter is not a ranking event.

But it could have been a completely different story for the 42-year-old if he decided to quit the game a year ago when his form was completely the opposite.

The two-times world champion failed to qualify for the World Championship at the Crucible in April 2017 after losing to Stuart Carrington in the final qualifying round.

Despite reaching the China Open final, it was a bad 2016/17 season for Williams who only reached the semi-final stage in one other ranking event from the whole campaign.

Speaking to Eurosport after winning the Gerrman Masters title he said: “I was genuinely seriously thinking about giving up last year.

“I spoke to my wife and I said ‘I’ve had enough really I can’t keep playing like this, I’m just not even competing’ and ten months on what a turnaround. I’m so glad I never (quit).

“She (my wife) taught me out of it really.”

Williams said linking up with the Sight Right coaching team has been the reason for his turn round in form.

After winning the Northern Ireland Open he said: “Up until six or eight months ago I thought I was never going to get another title. I have changed coach to Steve Feeney and he has helped me loads.”

Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan said he has never seen Williams in better form – more on that can be read here.