Kyren Wilson on the Brink of Snooker’s Greatest Season – If He Can Win in Sheffield Again

Kyren Wilson believes breaking the Crucible Curse will make his season the best in snooker history.

The world champion landed his fourth ranking crown of the campaign as he edged rival Judd Trump 10-9 in an epic Players Championship showpiece on Sunday night. 

He is only the seventh player in history to achieve the feat and joined an elite club which includes Steve Davis, Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Mark Selby, Ding Junhui and Trump. 

But all eyes are on whether or not the Warrior can by the man to finally conquer the Crucible Curse when he returns to Sheffield in three weeks time.

No first-time champion has ever successfully defended their crown since the sport’s most prized event moved to its spiritual home way back in 1977.

Asked where he would rate his campaign if he reigns supreme in Sheffield, Wilson told SportsBoom.com: “You would probably have to say it is one of, if not the best, seasons of all.”

“Especially when you look at how high the standard is nowadays. Snooker’s going through the roof. There are so many more opportunities and I feel like players are upping their game.”

“It’s becoming more competitive right the way from round one. You look at players like Ali Carter, he could be a qualifier for the World Championship…Neil [Robertson] was a qualifier last year. It just shows you how hard it is nowadays.”

“It would be an incredible achievement. Sometimes it’s hard to give yourself a pat on the back, but I feel like I deserve that.”

“It’s what the greats of the game have managed to do over the years, winning multiple tournaments, and if you want to be right up there and stay up there it’s what you’ve got to do consistently.”

HEALTHY RIVALS

The sporting rivalry between the potting pair has become one of the best in the sport in recent years.

It is the sixth time they have faced off for silverware, with Wilson winning five of his ten ranking titles at the expense of the Ace in the Pack. 

Trump has been by far and away the best player over the past six years, but Wilson is gunning to be the one to take over the mantle of world number one. 

“I wasn’t aware of that,” admitted Wilson, when told half of his ranking titles came by beating Trump in the final. 

“I think the only final he’s beaten me in is Gibraltar. I’m really proud of that stat because it shows I’ve got plenty of heart and plenty of bottle to beat someone as good as Judd in these finals.”

“It will be a lovely landmark to tick off on my CV at some point. To do that you’ve got to keep winning these tournaments and beating someone like Judd.”

“I got in with a good long red and ran out of position on 30-odd. Judd was slightly unlucky with a split on the reds and missed that brown. I almost forced him into the long red and if it goes in he’s probably sat here talking to you now and I’d have held my hands up and said fair play.”