Exclusive: Kyren Wilson says He’s Coming for Judd Trump’s World No.1 Spot

New Shanghai Masters champion Kyren Wilson is desperate to be crowned world number one this season.

The Kettering potter dazzled to beat compatriot Ali Carter 11-9 in Sunday’s showcase final at the Luwan Gymnasium, pocketing a £210,000 top prize in the process.

And now the world number two is gunning to chase down arch-rival Judd Trump to be crowned the sport’s best player this term.

Wilson and Trump have had an epic rivalry the past two seasons and with the famous ‘Class of ‘92’ players, Ronnie O’Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams, in the twilight of their careers respectively, it is the current top two players in the world who are tipped to battle it out for supremacy over the next few years.

“I’m world number two at the moment and I’ve love to tick off that world number one status at some point,” revealed Wilson, speaking exclusively to SportsBoom.com. 

“I don’t really like to set goals because I feel like you can limit what you achieve."

“But I believe that if you say you’re going to win one title or two titles, then you’re going to do well to win more than that because you’ve set that target in your mind."

“I just like to go into every single tournament trying my nuts off."

“I’ll be striving for that world number one spot this season, that’s definitely a big focus.”

DAZZLING START

Wilson downed world champion Zhao Xintong with a fine 10-5 semi-final win in Shanghai in front of a packed house of vocal home supporters.

And the former world champion also defeated seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan in the quarter-finals.

But it is world number one Trump who the 33-year-old is chasing down at the rankings’ summit, with the duo having dominated last season. 

Wilson four titles last season and Trump three respectively as they consistently proved their calibre during a long campaign.

“He’s [Judd] world number one, so it makes your job very easy, if you don’t play well then you’re going to get beat. It’s as simple as that,” added Wilson.

“He’s certainly set the standard over the last couple of years, he’s been a fantastic ambassador for the game of snooker."

“The standard is has produced over the last couple of years has been incredible."

“It certainly spurs me on to be a better player and to try and work as hard as possible to try and compete."

“For me it’s always exciting playing him, when we play I feel the crowd always enjoy it."

“I like to think we bring the best out of each other and give good value for money.”

FIERCE RIVALRY

Trump had previously labelled Wilson, “not the best loser”, with friction between the pair only adding to their fierce rivalry.

And Wilson was quick to play down his battle with Trump to be snooker’s top dog.

“Times have definitely changed because we [the players] spend a lot of time on tour nowadays,” reflected Wilson.

“There’s more tournaments than there were back then, so it’s inevitable that you’re going to bump into your opponent’s a lot more."

“We do lots of exhibitions as well, especially across China, so there’s lots of down time where you’re taken out by sponsors and you go for meals together, it’s part and parcel of the sport evolving."

“Don’t get me wrong though because I do like to keep it very professional. I’ve never been one to mingle with any players, that’s why one of the reasons I decided to take my brother on tour with me."

“We [me and Judd] do our own thing and I think that’s similar to Judd and his brother.

“It’s okay, it’s friendly, but I think we’re professional is the best way to put it."

“I have respect for Judd, but I can’t speak on behalf of him."

“I definitely have a lot of respect for him and what he’s achieved. I’d like to think that’s likewise."