World primary Judd Trump says snooker has been hoping for the massive prize cash on provide on the Saudi Arabia Masters for greater than a decade.
The match in Riyadh, which has been given the unofficial title of being the game’s ‘fourth main’ by organisers, is the most important ever staged outdoors the UK.
With a £2.3m prize fund and £500,000 winner’s cheque, solely the World Championship in Sheffield is comparable.
“There’s a completely different type of buzz much like the Crucible right here and everybody all through the final 10 to fifteen years has hoped this might occur to snooker,” Trump advised BBC Sport.
“We now have watched the opposite sports activities take the cash away and everyone seems to be completely satisfied and excited by this chance. A few of the occasions we go to within the House Nations aside from Northern Eire – which is a superb venue – really feel a bit second tier in how they’re arrange. You’ll be able to really feel the joy right here.
“There’s a buzz due to the cash and the prospect for gamers to help their households.”
The Saudi match and different occasions just like the Xi’an Grand Prix in China have helped swell the prize cash on provide on the skilled tour to a report £19m, not less than, this season.
Mark Allen, ranked quantity two on this planet, mentioned: “I respect it may possibly change somebody’s life, except you’re a perhaps a Ronnie [O’Sullivan], Judd or Ding [Junhui] that’s set for all times.
“It’s a big, big amount of cash we’re taking part in for however it’s not what we’re interested by. We’re right here to attempt to win a match.
“You do not begin out within the recreation to win £500,000, you begin out to be world champion and world primary. They’re the desires you’ve as a younger boy and that should not change.”
