Chris Wakelin

{{short description|English snooker player}}

{{Use British English|date=January 2025}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2015}}

{{Infobox snooker player

| name = Chris Wakelin

| image = Chris Wakelin PHC 2016-1.jpg

| caption = Wakelin at the 2016 Paul Hunter Classic

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1992|3|16}}

| birth_place = Rugby, Warwickshire, England

| Sport country = {{ENG}}

| Professional = 2013–present

| High ranking = 15 (November 2024, May 2025)

| Official maximums =

| Ranking wins = 1

| World champ =

}}

Chris Wakelin (born 16 March 1992) is an English professional snooker player from Rugby, Warwickshire.{{cite web|title=Chris Wakelin Q&A|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4121276,00.html|publisher=World Snooker|access-date=9 September 2014|archive-date=11 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140911010624/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~4121276,00.html|url-status=live}} He turned professional in 2013 and won his first ranking title at the 2023 Snooker Shoot Out.{{Cite news |title=Wakelin wins Shoot Out for first ranking title |language=en-GB |work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/64438862 |access-date=2023-01-29}}

Career

=Early career=

Wakelin started playing snooker aged 8, when his parents Mark and Angie bought him his first mini snooker table, and by the time he was 11 he was successfully playing in the local league.{{cite web|title=Chris has staked it all on a pot of gold|url=http://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/sport/chris-has-staked-it-all-on-a-pot-of-gold-1-5038412|publisher=Rugby Advertiser|access-date=31 July 2013|date=28 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219222624/http://www.rugbyadvertiser.co.uk/sport/chris-has-staked-it-all-on-a-pot-of-gold-1-5038412|archive-date=19 December 2013|url-status=dead}} However, his career nearly came to a halt at the age of 17 when he had to start working full-time as an ASDA delivery driver to support himself financially, and only played snooker as a hobby. In 2012 Wakelin decided to give the game another go, but soon had to face more difficulties as family issues resulted in a severe depression: "I could line up but I just couldn’t pot. I thought I would never play again. But thankfully with the help of my friends I managed to turn it around."{{cite web|last=Evans|first=Gregg|title=Chris takes his cue from bizarre accident|url=http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/other-sport/big-break-set-chris-wakelin-4324852|publisher=Birmingham Mail|access-date=31 July 2013|date=16 June 2013|archive-date=19 December 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219192312/http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/other-sport/big-break-set-chris-wakelin-4324852|url-status=live}} Since then Wakelin reached the semi-finals of the 2013 English Amateur Championship, before making it through to the England's Under 21 final (where he would later beat Hammad Miah).{{cite web|last=Arrowsmith|first=Jamie|title=Wakelin set to star on the baize|url=http://www.therugbyobserver.co.uk/2013/06/23/sport-Wakelin-set-to-star-on-the-baize-74739.html|publisher=Rugby Observer|access-date=31 July 2013|date=19 June 2013|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131219190023/http://www.therugbyobserver.co.uk/2013/06/23/sport-Wakelin-set-to-star-on-the-baize-74739.html|archive-date=19 December 2013|df=dmy-all}}

These results encouraged him to enter 2013 Q School in May. After having made it to the final round of the first event, he again reached the final round at the Event 3. There he faced former professional Adam Wicheard, who led 2{{nbnd}}0 before Wakelin hit back to lead 3{{nbnd}}2. Then, in the sixth frame when Wakelin had been already 23{{nbnd}}0 up, Wicheard accidentally snapped his cue when leaning on it, and had to concede the match. As a result, Wakelin won a tour card for the 2013–14 and 2014–15 seasons.

=2013–2017=

Wakelin had a tough debut season as a professional as he lost his opening match in all the ranking tournaments aside from the UK Championship, where he defeated 22nd seed Ryan Day 6{{nbnd}}5 before losing by the same scoreline to Jamie Burnett in the subsequent round.{{cite web|title=Chris Wakelin 2013/2014|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=2013&player=1044|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=9 June 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130609015607/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=1044&season=2013|url-status=live}} He had better results in the minor-ranking European Tour events, reaching the last 32 of the Rotterdam Open before going all the way to the quarter-finals of the Kay Suzanne Memorial Cup, where he lost 2{{nbnd}}4 to Judd Trump. Wakelin's season ended when he was edged out 9{{nbnd}}10 by Paul Davison in the first round of World Championship qualifying, with him ranked world number 106 after his first year on tour.{{cite web|title=Steadman Sets Up Davis Meeting|url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3756983,00.html|publisher=World Snooker|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=12 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140412082947/http://www.worldsnooker.com/page/NewsArticles/0,,13165~3756983,00.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/71/c1/0,,13165~180593,00.pdf |title=World Snooker Rankings After the 2014 World Championship |publisher=World Snooker |access-date=8 May 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140508030740/http://www.worldsnooker.com/staticFiles/71/c1/0%2C%2C13165~180593%2C00.pdf |archive-date=8 May 2014 |df=dmy-all }}

Wakelin's second season on the tour was a vast improvement on his first. He beat Tom Ford 5–2 to qualify for the 2014 Wuxi Classic and in his first appearance in a ranking event outside of the UK he overcame Joe O'Connor 5{{nbnd}}2, before losing 2{{nbnd}}5 to Shaun Murphy.{{cite web|title=Chris Wakelin 2014/2015|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=2014&player=1044|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=21 April 2015|archive-date=9 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709030313/http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=1044&season=2014|url-status=live}} At the minor-ranking Ruhr Open, Wakelin overcame Matthew Stevens 4{{nbnd}}1 and then fought back from 0{{nbnd}}3 and needing two snookers in the deciding frame to beat Thepchaiya Un-Nooh 4{{nbnd}}3. A 4{{nbnd}}2 win over Fergal O'Brien saw him reach the quarter-finals where he lost 1{{nbnd}}4 to Trump. At the Indian Open, Wakelin beat Rhys Clark 4{{nbnd}}2, Andrew Pagett 4{{nbnd}}1 and Nigel Bond 4{{nbnd}}1 to play in the quarter-finals of a ranking event for the first time.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/wakelin-keeps-run-going/ | title=Wakelin Keeps Run Going | work=World Snooker | date=13 March 2015 | publisher=World Snooker | access-date=21 April 2015 | archive-date=19 May 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150519094209/http://www.worldsnooker.com/wakelin-keeps-run-going/ | url-status=live }} He was 2{{nbnd}}1 ahead of Michael White but lost 2{{nbnd}}4.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/white-makes-semi-breakthrough/ | title=White Makes Semi Breakthrough | work=World Snooker | date=13 March 2015 | publisher=World Snooker | access-date=21 April 2015 | archive-date=15 July 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150715203128/http://www.worldsnooker.com/white-makes-semi-breakthrough/ | url-status=live }}

Wakelin's performances in the European Tour events this season saw him finish a lofty 22nd on the Order of Merit to earn a new two-year tour card.{{cite web|title=European Order of Merit 2014/2015|url=http://snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2014|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=21 April 2015|archive-date=17 April 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150417162742/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=10&season=2014|url-status=dead}} It also gave him entry into the Grand Final where he whitewashed Robert Milkins 4{{nbnd}}0, before Matthew Selt ousted Wakelin 4{{nbnd}}2 in the second round.{{cite web | url=http://www.worldsnooker.com/williams-fight-back-floors-selby/ | title=Williams Fight Back Floors Selby | work=World Snooker | date=26 March 2015 | publisher=World Snooker | access-date=21 April 2015 | archive-date=19 April 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150419213902/http://www.worldsnooker.com/williams-fight-back-floors-selby/ | url-status=live }}

In June 2015, Wakelin saw off Alex Taubman 5{{nbnd}}1, Craig Steadman 5{{nbnd}}0, and Liam Highfield 5{{nbnd}}2, to reach the final qualifying round of the Australian Goldfields Open, but he then lost 3{{nbnd}}5 to Jamie Jones.{{cite web | url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=1044&season=2015 | title=Chris Wakelin 2015/2016 | publisher=Snooker.org | access-date=26 March 2016 | archive-date=29 September 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170929070221/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=1044&season=2015 | url-status=live }} A 6{{nbnd}}4 victory over Peter Lines saw him qualify for the International Championship, where he lost 4{{nbnd}}6 to Barry Hawkins having led 3{{nbnd}}1.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/34633368 | title=Champion Ricky Walden beaten by Tian Pengfei in China | work=BBC Sport | date=25 October 2015 | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=26 March 2016 | archive-date=10 January 2016 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160110083623/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/34633368 | url-status=live }} Wakelin beat Stevens 6{{nbnd}}5 on the final black in the first round of the UK Championship and apologized to his opponent for an exuberant celebration at the end in a win he described as one of his best.{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/34932083 | title=UK Championship 2015: Chris Wakelin in pieces at black-ball win | work=BBC Sport | date=26 November 2015 | publisher=BBC Sport | access-date=26 March 2016 | archive-date=1 December 2015 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151201051520/http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/34932083 | url-status=live }} He was defeated 2{{nbnd}}6 by Michael Holt in the second round. Wakelin qualified for the China Open by eliminating Kurt Maflin 5{{nbnd}}3 and was edged out 4{{nbnd}}5 by Selt in the first round.{{cite web | url=http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/Wakelin-hopes-make-Crucible-cut/story-29056230-detail/story.html | title=Snooker: Wakelin hopes to make the Crucible cut | publisher=Nuneaton News | access-date=25 April 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} After beating world number 25 and former practice partner Ben Woollaston 10{{nbnd}}9, Wakelin looked set to reach the final qualifying round for the World Championship after leading Anthony Hamilton 4{{nbnd}}0 and 9{{nbnd}}6, but he went on to lose 9{{nbnd}}10.{{cite web | url=http://www.nuneaton-news.co.uk/Snooker-World-Championship-2016-Wakelin-suffers/story-29089881-detail/story.html | title=Snooker World Championship 2016: Wakelin suffers comeback defeat | publisher=Nuneaton News | access-date=25 April 2016 }}{{Dead link|date=July 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

Wins over Allan Taylor and Anthony McGill saw Wakelin set up a third-round encounter with Ronnie O'Sullivan in the 2016 English Open. Wakelin recovered from 0{{nbnd}}2 down to triumph 4{{nbnd}}3 in a performance that included a century and two other breaks above 50.{{cite web| url=http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/english-open/2016-2017/ronnie-o-sullivan-defeated-by-chris-wakelin-at-the-english-open_sto5908766/story.shtml| title=Ronnie O'Sullivan defeated by Chris Wakelin at the English Open, Judd Trump beats Martin Gould| publisher=Eurosport| access-date=12 April 2017| archive-date=13 April 2017| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413073558/http://www.eurosport.co.uk/snooker/english-open/2016-2017/ronnie-o-sullivan-defeated-by-chris-wakelin-at-the-english-open_sto5908766/story.shtml| url-status=live}} He then edged past Xiao Guodong 4{{nbnd}}3 after trailing 1{{nbnd}}3 to play in the quarter-finals, where he lost 0{{nbnd}}5 to Stuart Bingham.{{cite web|url=http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Matches/Result/13910/443022|title=Xiao Guodong 3–4 Chris Wakelin|publisher=World Snooker|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402234903/http://livescores.worldsnookerdata.com/Matches/Result/13910/443022|archive-date=2 April 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}{{cite web|url=https://rugbyobserver.co.uk/sport/fairytale-run-snookers-new-english-open-ends-chris-wakelin-heavy-defeat-stuart-bingham/|title=Fairytale run in snooker's new English Open ends for Chris Wakelin after heavy defeat to Stuart Bingham|publisher=Rugby and Lutterworth Observer|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413080828/https://rugbyobserver.co.uk/sport/fairytale-run-snookers-new-english-open-ends-chris-wakelin-heavy-defeat-stuart-bingham/|url-status=live}} Wakelin was defeated 4{{nbnd}}6 by Lines in the second round of the UK Championship and 0{{nbnd}}4 by Anthony Hamilton in the third round of the Scottish Open.{{cite web|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=1044|title=Chris Wakelin 2016/2017|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=12 April 2017|archive-date=20 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170420162431/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?player=1044|url-status=live}} Wakelin ended a season inside the top 64 for the first time as he was the world number 63.{{cite web|title=Rankings 2016/2017|url=http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?season=2016&template=31|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=7 May 2017|archive-date=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170519192758/http://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=31&season=2016|url-status=live}}

=2018–2022=

Wakelin qualified for the 2018 World Championship where he made his debut appearance at the Crucible Theatre. He delivered a strong performance against Judd Trump in the first round; recovering from 3{{nbnd}}6 and 4{{nbnd}}8 down, Wakelin levelled the match at 8{{nbnd}}8 before losing 9{{nbnd}}10 on the deciding frame. He compiled a 141 break in the first session, the highest of his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/43907426|title=World Snooker Championship 2018: Judd Trump beats debutant Chris Wakelin|last=Phillips|first=Owen|date=27 April 2018|access-date=29 April 2025|work=BBC Sport}}

At the end of the 2017–18 season, Wakelin joined the top 50 players in the snooker world rankings. He reached the quarter-final stage of the 2018 Riga Masters ranking tournament in Latvia by defeating Jamie Jones 4{{nbnd}}0 and Mark King 4{{nbnd}}3; he then lost 2{{nbnd}}4 to Stuart Carrington in the quarter-finals.{{cite web|url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?event=707 |title=Kaspersky Riga Masters (2018) |website=snooker.org |access-date=29 April 2025}}

In 2021, Wakelin qualified for the main stage of the World Championship for the second time in his career, defeating Xiao Guodong 10{{nbnd}}7 in the last qualifying round.{{cite web|url=https://rugbyobserver.co.uk/news/rugby-snooker-star-says-losing-weight-will-help-him-climb-rankings-after-first-round-world-championship-defeat/ |title=Rugby snooker star says losing weight will help him climb rankings after first-round World Championship defeat |date=19 April 2021 |access-date=29 April 2025 |website=Rugby Observer}} He then endured a 4{{nbnd}}10 first-round defeat to David Gilbert.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/56762588 |title=World Snooker Championship 2021: Tournament results, highest break and prize money |work=BBC Sport |date=3 May 2021 |access-date=29 April 2025}} He qualified for the main stage of the World Championship for a third time in 2022 but was again eliminated in the first round, losing 6{{nbnd}}10 to Yan Bingtao.{{cite web|url=https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/local-news/rugby-sharpshooter-chris-wakelin-eyes-23722363 |title=Rugby sharpshooter Chris Wakelin eyes maiden win at World Snooker Championship |last=Stuart |first=Paul |website=Coventry Telegraph |date=19 April 2022 |access-date=29 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chinadailyhk.com/hk/article/268362 |title=China's Yan reaches last 16 at World Snooker Championship |website=China Daily |agency=Xinhua |location=London, UK |date=20 April 2022 |access-date=29 April 2025}}

=2023–present=

Wakelin won his first ranking title in January 2023, beating Julien Leclercq in the final of the BetVictor Snooker Shoot Out, making a tournament-high break of 119 in the single-frame match.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/64438862 |title=Snooker Shoot Out: Chris Wakelin beats Julien Leclercq to win first ranking title |work=BBC Sport |date=28 January 2023 |access-date=30 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/snooker/shoot-out/2022-2023/chris-wakelin-makes-career-breakthrough-with-snooker-shoot-out-final-win-over-julien-leclercq_sto9360077/story.shtml |title=Chris Wakelin makes career breakthrough with Snooker Shoot Out final win over Julien Leclercq |last=Livie |first=Alex |work=TNT Sports UK |date=29 January 2023 |access-date=30 April 2025}} The £55,000 total prize money lifted Wakelin from 47th to 33rd in the world rankings.{{cite web|url=https://snookerhq.com/2023/01/29/chris-wakelin-couldnt-be-prouder-afer-snooker-shoot-out-success/ |title=Chris Wakelin 'couldn't be prouder' after Snooker Shoot Out success |last=Caulfield |first=David |website=SnookerHQ.com |date=29 January 2023 |access-date=30 April 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.sportinglife.com/snooker/news/snooker-results-chris-wakelin-wins-snooker-shoot-out/206961 |title=Snooker results: Chris Wakelin wins Snooker Shoot Out |work=Sporting Life |date=30 January 2023 |access-date=30 April 2025}} He beat former world champion Neil Robertson at the German Masters in February; however, his 16-match winning streak came to an end in the quarter-finals where he was defeated 2{{nbnd}}5 by Robert Milkins.{{cite web|url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=22&event=1350 |title=2023 German Masters Results |website=snooker.org |access-date=30 April 2025}} He reached his second ranking event final at the 2023 Northern Ireland Open in Belfast; after taking an early 2{{nbnd}}1 lead against Judd Trump, he was eventually defeated 3{{nbnd}}9.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/67256152 |title=Northern Ireland Open: Judd Trump wins Alex Higgins Trophy with victory against Chris Wakelin |work=BBC Sport |date=29 October 2023 |access-date=30 April 2025}}

In September 2024, Wakelin was a semi-finalist at the English Open after beating Mark Allen 5{{nbnd}}2 in the quarter-finals,{{cite web|url=https://www.snooker.org/res/index.asp?template=60&event=1833 |title=2024 English Open |website=snooker.org |access-date=2 May 2025}} but he was heavily defeated 1{{nbnd}}6 by Robertson in their semi-final match.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/cqxr9lgly0jo |title=Robertson and Wu set up English Open final meeting |work=BBC Sport |date=21 September 2024 |access-date=2 May 2025}} The following month, he progressed to the final of the International Championship in China, where he lost 7{{nbnd}}10 to Ding Junhui after establishing a 1{{nbnd}}4 lead in the first session.{{cite web|url=https://www.tntsports.co.uk/snooker/international-championship/2024-2025/international-championship-ding-junhui-chris-wakelin-five-year-title-drought_sto20052848/story.shtml |title=International Championship: Ding Junhui completes comeback against Chris Wakelin to end five-year title drought |last=Imber |first=Leon |work=TNT Sports UK |date=10 November 2024 |access-date=30 April 2025}} His route to his third ranking event final included wins over Shaun Murphy, Mark Williams and John Higgins, all former world champions.{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/crr92nklkvvo |title=Wakelin reaches International Championship final |work=BBC Sport |date=8 November 2024 |access-date=30 April 2025}} The prize money from this tournament helped elevate him into the world's top 16 for the first time in his career.{{cite web|url=https://www.wst.tv/players/a1beeb4b-2493-476c-9682-1900eb83c2d5/ |title=Chris Wakelin - World Snooker |website=World Snooker Tour |access-date=30 April 2025}}

Wakelin reached the last 16 of the 2024 UK Championship where he was defeated 2{{nbnd}}6 by Kyren Wilson.{{cite web |last1=Baynes |first1=Ciaran |title=UK Championship LIVE - World champion Kyren Wilson cruises past Chris Wakelin, Michael Holt downs Jak Jones in decider |url=https://www.eurosport.com/snooker/uk-championship/2024-2025/judd-trump-john-higgins-kyren-wilson_sto20058060/story.shtml |website=Eurosport |access-date=28 February 2025}} He made his first-ever appearance in the Masters tournament in 2025 but lost in the first round 3{{nbnd}}6 to Luca Brecel.{{cite web |title=Brecel Completes Stellar Last-Eight Line-Up |url=https://www.wst.tv/news/2025/january/15/Brecel-Completes-Stellar-Last-Eight-Line-Up/ |website=World Snooker Tour |date=15 January 2025 |access-date=28 February 2025}}

Ranked World No.20, Wakelin qualified for the 2025 World Championship, having failed to qualify for the main tournament for the previous two years.{{cite web|url=https://www.wst.tv/news/2025/april/20/wakelin-holds-off-robertson-fightback/ |title=Wakelin Holds Off Robertson Fightback |website=World Snooker Tour |date=20 April 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025}} He beat ninth seed Neil Robertson 10{{nbnd}}8 in the first round for his first ever Crucible match victory.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/apr/20/mark-williams-outlasts-wu-yize-world-snooker-championship |title=Mark Williams outlasts Wu Yize to make World Snooker Championship last 16 |work=The Guardian |agency=PA Media |date=20 April 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025}} He then defeated eighth seed Mark Allen 13{{nbnd}}6 in the {{nowrap|last 16}}, after developing a 10{{nbnd}}2 lead in the second session,{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/articles/c4g3l0vqe3ko |title=Maximum joy but Allen beaten by Wakelin at Crucible |work=BBC Sport |last=Emons |first=Michael |date=25 April 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025}} but was then knocked out of the competition at the quarter-final stage, 5{{nbnd}}13, by amateur Chinese player Zhao Xintong.{{cite web|url=https://www.wst.tv/news/2025/april/30/zhao-continues-to-chase-history/ |title=Zhao Continues To Chase History |website=World Snooker Tour |date=30 April 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.chinadailyasia.com/hk/article/610826 |title=China's Zhao storms into snooker worlds semis for first time |work=China Daily Asia |agency=Xinhua |date=1 May 2025 |access-date=2 May 2025}}

Personal life

Wakelin worked full-time as a delivery driver for ASDA before joining the professional snooker tour.{{cite web | title=Chris Wakelin | url=https://wpbsa.com/player/chris-wakelin/ | publisher=WPBSA | access-date=2023-10-31 | archive-date=2023-10-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031152013/https://wpbsa.com/player/chris-wakelin/}} Since 2021, Wakelin was involved with Strictly Christmas, a local spin-off of Strictly Come Dancing, raising money for Zoe's Place Baby Hospice in Coventry.{{cite web | title=Baize to the Ballroom for Wakelin | url=https://wst.tv/baize-to-the-ballroom-for-wakelin/ | publisher=World Snooker Tour | access-date=2023-10-31 | archive-date=2023-10-31 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031153135/https://wst.tv/baize-to-the-ballroom-for-wakelin/}} He credited his 2023 Shoot Out win to his running and ballroom dancing, saying: "Just being a part of that was life changing. We had visits to the hospice to see the children, staff and families to understand what it is we're raising money for. As cutting and difficult as it was to see, it inspired me to help out as much as I can."{{cite news | title=Chris Wakelin: How ballroom dancing contributed to first ranking title | work=BBC Sport |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/64506276 | access-date=2023-10-31 | archive-date=2023-10-31 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231031153352/https://www.bbc.com/sport/snooker/64506276}}

Performance and rankings timeline

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! 2016/
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! 2017/
18

! 2018/
19

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20

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21

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26

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Ranking{{cite web|title=Ranking History|url=http://www.snooker.org/rnk/history.asp|publisher=Snooker.org|access-date=6 February 2011|archive-date=19 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181219070820/http://www.snooker.org/Rnk/history.asp|url-status=live}}It shows the ranking at the beginning of the season

|align="center"|He was an amateur

|align="center"|New players on the Main Tour don't have a ranking

|align="center"|106

|align="center"|Players qualified through European Tour Order of Merit started the season without prize money ranking points

|align="center"|83

|align="center"|63

|align="center"|48

|align="center"|48

|align="center"|57

|align="center"|60

|align="center"|43

|align="center"|29

|align="center"|24

|align="center"|16

colspan="20"|Ranking tournaments
style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Championship League

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Xi'an Grand Prix

|align="center" colspan="12" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Saudi Arabia Masters

|align="center" colspan="12" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|English Open

|align="center" colspan="4" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|style="text-align:center; background:yellow;"|SF

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|British Open

|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Wuhan Open

|align="center" colspan="11" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Northern Ireland Open

|align="center" colspan="4" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:thistle;"|F

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|International Championship

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:thistle;"|F

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|UK Championship

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Shoot Out

|align="center" colspan="4" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|W

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Scottish Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|MR

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|German Masters

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Welsh Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|World Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|World Grand Prix

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Players ChampionshipThe event was called the Players Tour Championship Grand Final (2012/2013-2015/2016)

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Tour Championship

|align="center" colspan="6" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|DNQ

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|World Championship

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

colspan="20"|Non-ranking tournaments
style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Champion of Champions

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|The Masters

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Championship League

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|WD

colspan="20"|Former ranking tournaments
style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Wuxi Classic

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Australian Goldfields Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Shanghai Masters

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Non-Ranking

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Paul Hunter Classic

|align="center" colspan="4" style="color:#555555;"|Minor-Ranking Event

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|4R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Indian Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|China Open

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Riga MastersThe event was called the Riga Open (2014/2015–2015/2016)

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Minor-Rank

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|China Championship

|align="center" colspan="4" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|WST Pro Series

|align="center" colspan="8" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|RR

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Turkish Masters

|align="center" colspan="9" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Gibraltar Open

|align="center" colspan="3" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|MR

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|3R

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|WST Classic

|align="center" colspan="10" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|European Masters

|align="center" colspan="4" style="color:#555555;"|Tournament Not Held

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|1R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|LQ

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|NH

colspan="20"|Former non-ranking tournaments
style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Shoot Out

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="20" style="color:#555555;"|Ranking Event

style="background:#EFEFEF;"|Six-red World Championship

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" style="color:#555555;"|A

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

|align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|2R

|align="center" colspan="2" style="color:#555555;"|Not Held

class="wikitable" style="font-size:78%;"

! colspan="6"|Performance Table Legend

align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|LQ

| lost in the qualifying draw

| align="center" style="background:#afeeee;"|#R

| lost in the early rounds of the tournament
(WR = Wildcard round, RR = Round robin)

| align="center" style="background:#ffebcd;"|QF

| lost in the quarter-finals

align="center" style="background:yellow;"|SF

| lost in the semi-finals

| align="center" style="background:#D8BFD8;"|F

| lost in the final

| align="center" style="background:#00ff00;"|W

| won the tournament

align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|DNQ

| did not qualify for the tournament

| align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|A

| did not participate in the tournament

| align="center" style="color:#555555;" width="30"|WD

| withdrew from the tournament

class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%"
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"|NH / Not Heldmeans an event was not held.
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"|NR / Non-Ranking Eventmeans an event is/was no longer a ranking event.
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"|R / Ranking Eventmeans an event is/was a ranking event.
style="text-align:center; color:#555555;" colspan="4"|MR / Minor-Ranking Eventmeans an event is/was a minor-ranking event.

{{reflist|group="nb"}}

Career finals

=Ranking finals: 3 (1 title)=

class="sortable wikitable"

!width="80"|Outcome

!width="20"|No.

!width="50"|Year

!width="250"|Championship

!width="200"|Opponent in the final

!width="50"|Score

style="background:#98fb98;"|Winner

| 1.

| 2023

| Snooker Shoot Out

| {{flagicon|BEL}} Julien Leclercq

| align="center"|1–0

style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 1.

| 2023

| Northern Ireland Open

| {{flagicon|ENG}} Judd Trump

| align="center"|3–9

style="background:#ffa07a;"|Runner-up

| 2.

| 2024

| International Championship

| {{flagicon|CHN}} Ding Junhui

| align="center"|7–10

=Amateur finals: 1 (1 title)=

class="sortable wikitable"

!width="80"|Outcome

!width="20"|No.

!width="50"|Year

!width="250"|Championship

!width="200"|Opponent in the final

!width="50"|Score

style="background:#98fb98;"|Winner

| 1.

| 2013

| English Under-21 Championship

| {{flagicon|ENG}} Hammad Miah

| align="center"|8–4

References

{{reflist}}