China's Ding Junhui said he never stopped believing he would win again after ending his title drought by lifting his third UK Championship.
Ding outclassed Stephen Maguire 10-6 in York, finishing the final in stunning fashion with back-to-back centuries.
It was the 32-year-old's first ranking win since 2017 and came 10 years after he won his last UK title.
"You have to keep believing. People stopped believing in me, but if I lose then nobody can help me," he said.
A resurgent Ding ended his trophy drought with his fourth victory at a Triple Crown event, having also won the Masters in 2011, and the 14th ranking title of his career.
"I am so proud. I have been waiting a long time and looking to the date when I can lift this trophy again," he added.
"This is a big one, the third time I have won it and it means everything.
"It has been an amazing week and I have played fantastic snooker, believed in myself and trusted myself and my head has been clean, strong and happy.
"The past two seasons people have not trusted me and thoughts were coming to me, 'should I be able to win again?'
"It is definitely the best snooker I have played in my career. I cannot go over this level and the whole week it has been like this."
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/snooker/50708394