'That is the advice I give' – Wilson reveals key career lesson after edging O'Sullivan

Gary Wilson is adamant any aspiring snooker player must try to “stay positive all the time” if they want to scale the summit of the professional game.

The Scottish and Welsh Open champion has enjoyed his most fruitful season on tour after winning two ranking events in Edinburgh and Llandudno, earning a career best £310,850 in prize money and ending the campaign as the world No. 11.

The Wallsend player’s natural attacking approach has attracted widespread praise with his invite to face snooker GOAT Ronnie O’Sullivan in a three-night exhibition in the Finnish city of Tampere before a sell-out crowd of 6,000 fans this week endorsing his rapid, attractive style of play.

Wilson, 38, won Wednesday evening’s final match 6-5 against O’Sullivan, who claimed a 6-3 victory on Monday before losing the second match 6-2 to Wilson on Tuesday with all three matches laced with bouts of heavy break-building.

“You have stay positive all the time,” said Wilson. “That is advice that I can give, and that I will try to follow. I believe that, ultimately, that what has helped pushing me to where I always thought I could get.

“Life doesn’t always deal you the cards you want. That’s the kind of message I’m trying to say there. Always keep believing, and know deep down that you are always capable of doing what you believe you can do.”

He admits he is content with the size of the World Snooker Tour, but would like to see a new major ranking event in Finland.

“Even if there are a thousand players on the tour, only the best will make it,” said Wilson speaking to local media. “I think the tour is as good as it can be under the circumstances. Hopefully, it will expand to other countries, such as Finland.

“The crowd was fantastic. This country clearly loves snooker.”

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