Barry Hawkins lost 10-8 to Judd Trump in the UK Championship final (Image: Getty)
Barry Hawkins gifted a stonking hangover the morning after his triumph in York.
Hawkins came within a whisker of winning his first Triple Crown event at the age of 45, but Trump shut down hopes of a late comeback by clinching a tense 18th frame to win 10-8.
Though coming so close to what would have been the biggest title of his career naturally came as a stinging blow for Hawkins, there was no bad blood between himself and Trump after their showdown was settled. But ‘The Hawk’ did do his best to make sure the world No. 1 was sore in the head on Monday morning.
“I just kept getting him shots!” Hawkins told . “I get on great with Judd, I’ve got a lot of time for him, he’s got a nice family.
“He told me he knew he had to take it out there and then [in the 18th frame], he said he could see how good I was feeling and obviously he was feeling it a bit as well. 9-9 anything could have happened. He knew he was in a game, for sure.”
Hawkins turns 46 in April, and though he has been as high as fourth in the world rankings, a coveted Triple Crown victory is still missing from his CV.
Barry Hawkins was gracious in defeat to Judd Trump in York (Image: Getty)
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He was beaten by Ronnie O’Sullivan in the 2013 World Snooker Championship final, before twice falling at the final hurdle at The Masters. Hawkins still has plenty of fight left to give, but he admits the desire to win a Triple Crown is growing as retirement edges closer.
“As I get older, yeah I would [be disappointed if I don’t win one] now,” he explained. “Obviously there are lots of players that never get to a Triple Crown final so it’s good to get there, but the fact I was so close this time is the most disappointing thing.
“The World Championship final I played well, but the other two I was completely outplayed and intimidated. I played well in this one, I was within touching distance but got beaten by the best player in the world so I can’t be too hard on myself.
“It reminded me that I can still do it, that was probably some of the best snooker I’ve ever played, over the week as a whole. I can still do it on the big stage. It gives me confidence going forward knowing that I’ve still got it and I’ve got a few years in me playing well.”