Now leads 11 - 8. Given how hard he often hits the ball is he not risking damage to his cue tip? If it splits or falls off what can he do? Do the top players have a second cue that they can use?
very little risk to the tip, they don't break generally, they can come unstuck but that's rare with modern glue. Almost certainly won't have another cue, if the tip goes they have guys on site to fix it, he can play it in, I believe they have a 15min recess allowed for such an occurrence. It wouldn't help obviously but it wouldn't be catastrophic.