Kyren Wilson brutally informed by snooker rival he’s ‘not in similar bracket’ as star pair

Kyren Wilson won his first World Snooker Championship last year and is now world No. 2, but he is still not at the level of Judd Trump or Mark Selby in the eyes of a fellow competitor

Kyren Wilson is “not in the same bracket” as snooker icons Judd Trump and Mark Selby, a rival of his has brutally claimed.

Matthew Selt, who is ranked No. 33 in the world, did not hold back ahead of his clash with reigning world champion Wilson at the World Grand Prix in March. His strong verdict comes off the back of Wilson’s defeat in the Masters final at the hands of Shaun Murphy and shock second round exit from the Welsh Open against Joe O’Connor, despite winning the German Masters in-between.

Selby instead claimed the Welsh Open last week, while Trump skipped the tournament altogether with his sights set on Crucible glory in May. The straight-talking Selt dropped his latest bombshell while appearing on the Snooker Club podcast, where he claimed that Wilson isn’t of the same calibre as the two aforementioned titans.

Selt began by lauding Selby and predicting him to win several more World Championships: “As soon as Ronnie O’Sullivan [retires], the two favourites for me every year are going to be Trump and Selby,” which resulted in Stephen Hendry asking: “You don’t put Kyren in that category?”

Wilson replied: “Unfortunately I talk as honestly as I can which is my downfall in life and for me he’s not in that same bracket as Trump and Selby. I’m playing Kyren in Hong Kong and it will be a privilege to play the world champion in such a high event.

“He’s a great player, a phenomenal player but he’s a few years behind them. I think he will get there, I think he’ll win more titles and a lot more ranking events.

“But at this moment in time, no I don’t hold him as high as Trump or Selby. That might be harsh but it’s just how I see it.”

Wilson is currently flying high and enjoying the best period of his career at the age of 33. The world No. 2 won his first Triple Crown title and world title at the 2024 World Snooker Championship.

Selby, meanwhile, boasts four world championships and a whopping nine Triple Crown titles, claiming his first major at the 2008 Masters. Current world No. 1 Trump has won five Triple Crown titles, the latest coming at the 2024 UK Championship.