By Joe Downes For Mailonline
Published: 17:07 BST, 7 May 2019 | Updated: 17:07 BST, 7 May 2019
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After becoming world champion for the first time, Judd Trump set his sights on becoming the people's champion too.
Trump blew John Higgins away 18-9 at the Crucible on Monday night to win a pulsating battle on the baize. But his battle to win hearts and minds is only just beginning.
Barry Hearn heralded the 'crowning of a new king of snooker' when Trump lifted the trophy in Sheffield.
Judd Trump blew John Higgins away 18-9 in the world championship final at the Crucible
Now that he's world champion, he's set his sights on becoming the people's champion too
He says he would like to see things change, as snooker can 'still be a little bit old fashioned'
World Snooker's chairman believes Trump can be 'a great face' for the sport, comparing him to world heavyweight boxing champion and fellow 29-year-old Anthony Joshua. Trump's eyes lit up.
'I hope I can get to his [Joshua's] level of popularity,' said Trump. 'That would be incredible.
'AJ goes about everything the right way. I think I'm growing up and maturing and hopefully I can come across in that kind of way too.
'There's a lot of things I think need changing. Snooker is a bit stuck in its ways so I'd love to sit down and talk to Barry about that.
'It can still be a little bit old fashioned so I'd love to bring it up to date and get some more people interested in snooker.'
This new-found maturity is the key to Trump's success.
