Mark Williams punches cue at World Snooker Championship before worrying press conference

Welsh snooker legend Mark Williams crashed out of the World Snooker Championships in the first round, punching his cue in frustration before hinting he nay not return to the Crucible next year.

The 49 year old was beaten by the formidable Si Jiahui on Tuesday. Williams held a slim advantage of 5-4 earlier on, however, his odds dimmed once Jiahui stepped up his game, pushing the score to 7-5. A clear sign of William's growing vexation emerged as he fell 58 points behind with merely 59 left on the table.

Following a missed pivotal pot to the centre, Williams lashed out out at his cue, punching it. In a surprising move, Williams then handed his cue to an audience member sitting in the front row of the Sheffield venue as he returned to his corner.

Williams' comeback did not materialise and Jiahui proceeded to claim victory with a 10-9 upset.

Following the match, when asked whether he will be back next year, three-time champion Williams said in a press conference: "Who knows? I'll be 50 years of age next year.

"I looked around and loved every minute of it. Whether or not I'll be back again, I don't know.

"I'm not considering my future really, just it's a tough game. You keep getting back to these venues and it's hard.

"Most of the ones for a while now, you've just got to treat it as if you're not going to get back here.

"I'm not retiring, just treating every one as your last one. Fingers crossed you'll see me playing next year, who knows?"

His comments led to many worried fans on social media pleading with him to come back next year, saying the world's biggest tournament wouldn't be the same without him.