Former world champion is facing a seismic rankings drop, the like of which has never been seen in modern snooker. And it could be confirmed at the later this month, where the Belgian will aim to defend the 500,000 ranking points he picked up by winning it two years ago.

Brecel took over the Crucible when he stormed to victory in 2023, and famously partied hard when celebrating his win over in the final. Results have trended downward ever since, and he failed to qualify for the World Grand Prix, the Players Championship or the Tour Championship this season.

There were concerns late last year that Brecel could drop out of the top 64 and lose his tour card altogether after this year's world championship. He has at least guaranteed that won't happen with a string of decent results, including a run to the semi-finals of the Welsh Open in February.

Only a deep run at the Crucible will prevent Brecel plummeting from seventh in the world rankings down to 45th. No world champion in modern history has fallen such a vast distance within two years of lifting the sport's most prestigious title.

Brecel would cling onto the top 16 if he makes it to the final and loses, and just about remain in the top 25 if he tastes defeat in the semi-finals.

The talented cueist will be desperate for a dramatic improvement on last year's world championship performance, when he lost 10-9 to David Gilbert in the opening round.

For all of his competitive struggles, Brecel does at least have an admirer in seven-time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan, who has even hinted at a future coaching link-up.

"I'd like to get a young player and help him develop," the Rocket told . "But I'd also like to work with a top player that wants to win the World Championship and who I think is capable of winning the World Championship, and try and add something to their game.

"I think Luca Brecel's an interesting case. But I'm not sure he's somebody that you could coach really, in many ways. I think he's pretty much got all the game, but with someone like Luca, you'd be scared to touch him because he's such a natural talent. But I think there are some little areas where he could maybe improve his consistency levels.

"I believe someone like him is so talented that he doesn't need to play brilliantly to win. So he'd be an interesting case. It would be someone that I think has the talent and the game but maybe is just under-performing."