Looking forward to the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open, Aaron Hill is excited about the possibility of facing former World Champion Judd Trump. Last season, Hill was heartbroken after failing to qualify for the competition, but this time he secured his place in the last 64 by beating Zhao Jianbo 4-0. Hill burst onto the scene in 2020, defeating Ronnie O’Sullivan and making it to the last 16 of the European Masters. He missed out on a rematch with O’Sullivan at last season’s Northern Ireland Open, but he has qualified this year and is eager to potentially face Trump. Hill is confident in his abilities and sees matches against top seeds as opportunities to impress. He knows that being a professional snooker player comes with a lot of pressure, but he is mentally stronger now and ready to take on any challenge.
After taking a break and returning to Q School a month later, Hill felt mentally rejuvenated and his performances on the table improved. Despite narrowly losing in the last 16 of the first event, he dominated in event two, winning his final match against Zhao Jianbo 4-1 and securing a two-year tour card.
Hill, a former European Under-21 champion, expressed his relief at the achievement, stating that he had taken a few weeks off to focus on mental and physical training. He was emotional upon qualifying for the tour, as he had gone from being a promising player to dropping off the tour and considering getting a job.
Now in a different mindset, Hill is excited to play and enjoy the experience, something he struggled with a year ago. Having learned from his experiences, he feels stronger than ever at just 20 years old.
Tickets for the BetVictor Northern Ireland Open are still available, starting at £15. For more information, click here.
