Barry Hawkins gave an emotional speech after winning the Welsh Open to his dad.

Barry Hawkins gave an emotional speech after winning the Welsh Open to his dad.

 

 

 

When Barry Hawkins lifted the trophy at the Welsh Open, the applause inside the arena was thunderous — but it was the quiet, heartfelt words that followed which truly captured the moment.

Fighting back tears, Hawkins dedicated his victory to his late father, delivering an emotional speech that resonated far beyond the snooker table.

“This one’s for you, Dad,” he began, pausing as the crowd rose to their feet. “You were there when I picked up a cue for the first time. You were there when I didn’t believe in myself. And I know you were there tonight.”

The Welsh Open title marked a deeply significant milestone in Hawkins’ career. Known for his resilience and calm temperament under pressure, the Englishman produced a composed and clinical performance throughout the tournament. But behind the steely focus was something far more personal driving him.

He spoke about the long car journeys to junior tournaments, his dad waiting patiently in cold snooker halls, and the quiet encouragement after tough defeats.

“You never pushed me,” Hawkins said. “You just told me to enjoy it. To work hard. To keep going. And when things got tough — and they did — you were my rock.”

There was a raw honesty in his voice that transcended sport. This was not just a champion celebrating a ranking title; it was a son honouring the man who shaped his character.

Hawkins admitted that the past few years had been challenging. Form dips, near misses, and the mental grind of professional sport had tested his resolve. At times, he wondered whether his best days were behind him. But he carried his father’s lessons with him — resilience, humility, and belief.

“I’ve had some dark days,” he continued. “But I always heard your voice telling me not to give up. Tonight, when I was under pressure, I thought about you. I thought about how proud you’d be just seeing me out there fighting.”

The final frame of the tournament had been tense. Hawkins, known affectionately as “The Hawk,” held his nerve with trademark composure. Yet as the final ball dropped and victory was secured, the emotion that poured out revealed how much it truly meant.

He looked skyward as he spoke.

“I wish you were here in the crowd,” he said softly. “But I know you’re watching somewhere. This trophy’s coming home with me — and it’s yours as much as mine.”

The arena fell silent before erupting once more in applause.

Sport often delivers moments of drama and brilliance, but it is these human stories that linger longest. Hawkins’ triumph was not simply about ranking points or silverware. It was about gratitude, love, and the enduring bond between father and son.

As he left the stage clutching the Welsh Open trophy, there was a sense that this victory carried more weight than most. It was a reminder that behind every professional athlete stands a lifetime of unseen support.

And on this night, in lifting that trophy, Barry Hawkins honoured the man who helped him believe he could.