At the UK Championship, Hawkins advanced to the last 16 after beating the likes of Riley Parsons, Robbie Williams and Robert Milkins, but was knocked out of the tournament after losing 6–3 to Mark Selby. In January 2021, Hawkins did not participate in the Masters, but he did reach the semi final of the German Masters at the end of the month, his first appearance in the last four of a ranking event for the first time since 2019, and faced Judd Trump. Despite leading 5–1, Hawkins lost five straight frames and lost 6–5 at the end. In February, he reached another semi final, this time at the Players Championship, but he lost 6–4 to Ronnie O'Sullivan after taking a 3–0 lead.