Martin Gould says winning his first ranking title feels like a “25-stone weight has been lifted off my back”.
The 34-year-old beat Belgium’s Luca Brecel 9-5 to win the German Masters in Berlin last week.
“It is a relief and I have got the monkey off my back now,” the Pinner Potter told West London Sport.
“I have been so close so close and trying so hard to get there, but it’s not been the right time. This was.”
Gould dedicated his win to his late mother Shirley, who died of cancer 12 years ago, and he said his success was special for many reasons.
“I am sure she was up there watching down on me and delighted,” he said.
Gould was beaten by John Higgins in heartbreaking fashion in the 2015 Australian Open and more recently lost in the quarter-finals of the UK Championship to qualifier David Grace after surrendering a 5-1 lead.
“You have to take the setbacks and have to learn from them,” Gould added. “I kept knocking on the door.
“I couldn’t have thought of a better venue than the Tempodrom – apart from the Crucible – to win my first ranking title. It does feel like a massive weight has been lifted off my shoulders – about 25 stone.
“It’s unique. The atmosphere is amazing. At the start of the final the crowd were so noisy I thought the roof was going to come off – even before we hit a ball. It was an incredible experience.
“I will never forget that. I had a slow start but settled down and felt good and confident as I did all week.
“I had a good feeling about the tournament. I booked my return flight for the Monday and I was not trying to be arrogant, it was just the way I felt. I knew I would go deep in to the tournament.”
The win, and £60,000 prize money, will take Gould back in to the top 16 in the world rankings. And crucially, if he stays there for the next few weeks, it will mean he does not have to qualify for the World Championship.
“There is loads that can happen between now and the cut-off point,” Gould added.
“But not having to qualify would be massive. Going through qualifying is horrible.”
This post was last modified on 15/02/2016