No practise, no problem for Stevens ahead of Crucible return

Matthew Stevens goes into the World Snooker Championship ranked 48th in the world [Getty Images]

Matthew Stevens will head into snooker's biggest event saying he barely practices these days and his table at home is of the coffee variety.

The 48-year-old Welshman overcame heavily-favoured former champion Stuart Bingham 10-7 at World Snooker Championship qualifying to book his spot at the Crucible.

But Stevens admits to a "love-hate" relationship with the event as he carries the scars of defeats in the 2000 and 2005 finals while he last reached the global showpiece in 2022.

"I've had so many good wins there," Stevens said. "I've played in the one-table set-up six times I think, and I've got loads of scars from there, but I wouldn't change anything. I'd probably change one or two results, but that can't be helped."

As he contemplated what lies ahead, Stevens has a preference for avoiding veterans such as Ronnie O'Sullivan and Mark Williams as well as newer stars such as China's Zhao Xintong.

"I'd rather play the Class of '62 [than one of the Class of '92]. I don't want to play Xintong on Saturday morning. I want to be in the tournament longer than that," said Stevens in a downbeat assessment of his prospects.

But he will also go into the tournament believing he can still produce competitive performances.

"I can still play decent now and again," he said. "I do play better in the World Championship - must be something that clicks I suppose. I haven't really played much snooker for the last six months."

Away from the sport Stevens says he spends most of his time doing "not much really, just watching TV and chilling".

He added: "I do enjoy playing but I've been a bit lazy recently. I've been saying that for the last 15 years so nothing's changed.

"Instead of practising, I just watch old YouTube videos of myself winning, and sometimes it works and gives me a lift.

"I'll play a little bit [before my first-round match] but not much.

"I keep saying [I can do damage at a tournament] but I haven't done it. It's just keeping it up, I suppose. I beat Judd [Trump] in China this year and if you can beat someone like that it's just about being more consistent.

"I'm still a danger if I play well and can win any match."

Bingham found that was the case even though Stevens says he "didn't have many expectations" heading into the qualifying event.

Stevens said he used Bingham's strong favourite status as motivation going into their encounter.

"I looked at that and thought in my own mind I don't think its the right price and that gave me a bit of a challenge to prove people wrong."