Ding Junhui 'still hungry' for World Championship glory at the Crucible - 'My belief will keep me going'
Updated 01/12/2025 at 19:33 GMT
React to this story
The focus of the snooker world is on the UK Championship, with the first Triple Crown of the season underway in York. Ding Junhui has won it on three occasions, but he has an eye on winning a title that has so far eluded him: the World Championship. Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
'Where the dream started' - Ding Junhui reflects on first UK Championship win at 18
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ding Junhui told TNT Sports that he is still hungry to win the World Championship.
The 38-year-old put snooker on the map in China, and his success at the highest level led to a boom in participation in the country.
He was widely expected to be the first Chinese player to win the world title, but he came up short in his only Crucible final to date in 2016 - and the accolade went to Zhao Xintong who took glory earlier this year.
Ding has admitted to being driven on by the young stars coming through in China, and still yearns for glory in the sport’s biggest event.
"I always believe I can," Ding told TNT Sports when asked about getting his hands on snooker’s biggest prize. "I believe all the time, I dream it every day.Â
"I am still hungry. My belief will keep me going."
- 'Amazing' - Williams celebrates win over Gilbert, claims he is 'better' than O'Sullivan
- Was this snooker impossible to escape from?
Zhao is China’s latest snooker superstar, and Ding praised the 28-year-old and other bright talents such as Wu Yize and Si Jiahui for what they are achieving in the game.
"They are working good and are winning," Ding said. "I have given them confidence that they can win titles, and they worked hard and improved.Â
"We practice together and they work hard together. I can see they want to win and it shows their talent."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/01/image-c2710c0a-ca7d-455c-91f2-2374903e03bf-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'The best of the lot' - Zhao's potting exhibition continues
Video credit: TNT Sports
The UK Championship has been kind to Ding, as he has won it on three occasions and been beaten in two other finals.
He kicked off his latest quest with a 6-4 win over Xu Si, and was happy to be back in York.
"I just feel good when I walk in this venue," Ding said of the Barbican Centre. "It does not matter what happens, I feel good on the table and good with the fans and good out there."
Ding’s love affair with the UK Championship began in 2005 when he beat snooker great Steve Davis to lift the title as an 18-year-old.
He admits to looking back on the events of 2005 when a boost in confidence is needed.
"I have got all the results in my home," he said of his route to the title that saw him beat Jimmy White, Paul Hunter, Neil Robertson and Joe Perry before taking down Davis. "Sometimes if I practice and not feel so good, I go back and watch the videos. It was when I was 18, and I like to go back to see how I was playing on shots.Â
"I try to find the feeling as sometimes I don’t have the feeling and the concentration, so when I am not doing good I want to find it.Â
"It is good memories of where the dream started."
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2025/12/01/image-6b8ea288-e57e-4bb4-a11f-db2f1df3d069-85-2560-1440.jpeg)
'Poetry in motion' - Zhao opens UK challenge with century break
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ding is armed with a new cue this term, and he felt it was time for a change after 20 years with the same piece of wood.
"I changed two cues," he said. "The one in Shanghai and then another one and it is okay. It was just to try something different.
"I had a cue for over 20 years so my coach said to maybe try a new cue."
- - -
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement