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Hong Kong snooker star Marco Fu says he’ll play World Championship after two-year absence from pro tour

  • The former world No 5 has not picked up a cue in a month and will only have 10 days to prepare for the qualifiers
  • Fu’s return welcomed by fans on social media, with the Hong Kong player unable to play the tour because of Covid-19 travel restrictions

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Marco Fu Ka-chun plays in a charity event in Tsuen Wan in November, 2021. Photo: SCMP/Xiaomei Chen

Marco Fu Ka-chun is ready to return to the pro snooker tour after a two-year absence, with the Hongkonger’s return to the circuit welcomed across the game.

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Fu, the 44-year-old former world No 5, could not have chosen a more daunting stage to make his comeback, declaring on social media: “I’ve just entered this year’s World Championships.”

His task is made even more difficult by the fact that he has not practised in anger for a month.

But the call of the Crucible in Sheffield remains irresistible for those blessed with the talent to play on snooker’s biggest arena and Fu simply wanted another chance to soak in the experience.

“I’ve decided to play simply because it’s the World Championships,” Fu told the Post. “l’ve been away for two years and l miss competing very much. I don’t know how my form is because l haven’t picked up my cue got a month.

“All the snooker clubs are closed due to Covid in Hong Kong, so l need to travel to the UK and practise before the World Championship. l only have 10 days practise. Preparation is far from ideal and I won’t expect too much from myself, just want to play and enjoy it.”

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Fu has had a testing time since winning this third ranking title, the Scottish Open, in 2016, the same year he reached the semi-finals of the World Championships losing 17-15 to Mark Selby.

Marco Fu takes on Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Coral World Grand Prix in Cheltenham. Photo: Handout
Marco Fu takes on Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Coral World Grand Prix in Cheltenham. Photo: Handout
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