Judd Trump reckons he may not have entered his prime as he prepares to defend his UK Championship crown. Despite a slow start to the season, at least by his extremely high standards, Trump remains the world No.1 by a handsome margin over Kyren Wilson. 

He has held that status for more than a year and remains as determined as ever to remain snooker’s top player. As a modern great of the game, some view Trump’s tally of five Triple Crown titles as modest. But the Ace in the Pack is happy with his number of major titles, insisting he has ample time to get into double figures. And in a frightening prospect to his rivals, the 36-year-old believes his best days could still be in front of him.

“I think I’m going along nicely,” said Trump, who begins the defence of his UK title on Saturday afternoon. “Since winning the World Championship in 2019, I’ve won the Masters twice, been in a couple of UK finals and the world final. It is ticking along nicely.

“If I keep going at this rate, then I should get to 10 at least. It is all about pacing yourself now. A few of the other players have already proven age is no longer an issue.

“As long as you are playing to a decent standard, then experience is a good thing. The prime has probably gone from being in a player’s 20s to late 30s or 40s now. According to that, if I keep putting the work in, then I have a long time left.”

That motivation remains as strong as ever, with his desire to stay at the top of the rankings driving him more than just after silverware. He said: “I think the motivation is just to be the best in the world.

“It isn’t so much titles or anything else, just the fact I don’t want to see anyone else as being the best player in the world. It is a good feeling to have.

“It is the fact I enjoy putting the work in every day. It is ingrained as part of me at the moment and I don’t struggle getting out of bed to practice.

“I think that it is something that I am always quite motivated to improve. When I’m not winning events, that makes me even more motivated. Seeing other players taking the plaudits gives me a kick up the backside.”

Last year’s UK Championship gave Trump one of the highlights of his career as he fended off a Barry Hawkins fightback 10-8 in a thrilling final. That success came 14 years after his first UK title. By his own admission, his record in the intervening years has been “hit or miss”.

Nevertheless, it remains an event that is close to his heart. He said: “Because it had been so long since I’d won the UK Championship, it was special. My results haven’t been particularly amazing in the UK. It has been hit or miss.

“I’ve either got to the final or lost early. I’ve been to four UK finals now, even though I feel as if it has been my worst of the Triple Crown events. I feel, if I can get through the first round or two, I can get to the final, but it is tricky to get that first win.

“This tournament is the first one of the season that you are back on the BBC. It is a massive event and you want to do well. It adds that little bit of pressure.

“Some events that I win, I maybe don’t quite get the same satisfaction, but the ones where I can win in front of my parents, it is always going to be special.”