Former Welsh Open champion and Masters runner-up Joe Perry has announced his decision to retire from professional snooker following his participation in this year's World Championship. The 50-year-old snooker veteran expressed his desire to conclude his professional career with a memorable match at the Crucible Theatre, a venue synonymous with snooker's greatest moments.

Perry, who turned professional in 1992, has had a distinguished career, winning two ranking events: the 2015 Players Championship and the 2022 Welsh Open. His only appearance in a Triple Crown event final was in 2017, where he was defeated by Ronnie O'Sullivan in the Masters final.

In a recent interview with World Snooker Tour, Perry shared his thoughts on retirement, stating, "It's not a rash decision. I've thought about it for the past 12-18 months and decided midway through this season that enough was enough." He also mentioned his plans to continue playing in the World Seniors but emphasized that his time as a professional snooker player is coming to an end.

Perry's journey to the Crucible continues as he prepares for his next match against Yuan Sijun, the world number 33 from China. Reflecting on his potential final match at the Crucible, Perry said, "I'm trying as hard as ever out there, and if I could play my last match at the Crucible, [that would be] wonderful."

The World Championship at the Crucible Theatre begins on April 19, and Perry is one of sixteen players aiming to qualify for the main draw. His farewell at this historic venue would be a fitting end to a remarkable career in professional snooker.