Judd Trump has set his sights on being crowned world number one and returning to lift the Crucible trophy after coming up just short against John Higgins.
A complimentary Higgins hailed Trump’s performance in the World Championship final, which eventually went the way of the Scot by an 18-15 margin late Monday.
Trump had led 12-9 at one stage, but he began to miss balls he was potting earlier in the tournament and Higgins made the most of the chances he was handed.
Having breathed fresh life into snooker with his run in Sheffield, the 21-year-old was described by Higgins as “the future” of the sport.
Now Trump is waiting to discover how life outside of snooker will have changed for him.
“I’m stuck in a bubble here so I don’t really know what’s going on in the rest of the world. When I get home, I’ll be able to tell what’s happened,” he said.
“I’ll keep it on the level but I’ve got a bit of time off so I’ll go out and enjoy myself and then come back and challenge for the title next year and hopefully become no.1.”
Higgins broke down in tears at the end following mention of his late father, the man who guided his career and died in February, but he savoured his victory, judging it the highlight of his career.
The 35-year-old Scot thought Trump was the better player, but after landing his fourth world title, the man from Wishaw believes he has a chance of matching Stephen Hendry’s record of seven.
“This is far and away the biggest and best I’ve ever won, no question,” Higgins said.
After the frame-fixing allegations which came to light on the Sunday of last year’s final, Higgins fought a battle to clear his name and largely succeeded.
The fixing charges were dropped and the six-month ban he received was for minor infringements of betting regulations.
Since returning from his ban, Higgins has won the UK Championship, Welsh Open and now the biggest prize of all.
“I want to get to seven world titles now because I’ve won three in the last five years,” he said.
“Obviously, you’ve got people like Judd, but if I can contend with him right now I’ve got a few years of trying to do it.”
Higgins’s father was in his thoughts as he picked up the trophy, and he had a tear in his eye in the arena.
He said: “He’s been at the back of my thoughts. He’s up there, having a party.”