BARRY HAWKINS has lifted the lid on his late night “shots” session with Judd Trump last weekend.
The Hawk, 45, was beaten 10-8 by Trump in the UK Championship final.
Hawkins had been aiming to win his first Triple Crown event, but had the door shut on him by Trump.
After the final there was no bad blood or hard feelings between the two men.
In fact, Hawkins took defeat with amazingly good grace.
Lifting the lid on seeing Trump at the after party, he told the Metro: “I just kept getting him shots!
“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 last frame], he said he could see how good I was feeling and obviously he was feeling it a bit as well.
“(At) 9-9 anything could have happened. He knew he was in a game, for sure.”
Despite enjoying a distinguished career that has been seen him earn more than £3.7million and rise as high as world No4, a Triple Crown title has continued to evade Hawkins.
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On his chase for that elusive first Triple Crown triumph, Hawkins – who lost the 2013 World final 18-12 to Ronnie O’Sullivan – added: “As I get older, yeah I would [be disappointed if I don’t win one] now.
“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.”
