SHEFFIELD (England), April 18: World snooker champion Peter Ebdon said retaining the title would eclipse his success in last year’s tournament.

Bidding to become the first ever first-time winner to retain the title, Ebdon will begin his defence with a match against world number 63 Gerard Greene on Saturday at the Crucible Theatre.

“I think it would mean a lot more to win it this year,” said Ebdon.

“In a way I’ve perhaps not enjoyed being world champion as much as I should have done because I only feel I’ve done half the job.

“Winning it again and becoming the first to successfully defend it would mean job done to me. I’d love to prove myself a great champion.

“One of the things that hit me last year was seeing all those great names on the trophy.

“It would be the highlight of my professional career if I could achieve something none of those great names have achieved.”

Ebdon is unconcerned about his failure to win a tanking tournament this season.

“I came into this season knowing deep down that the only thing I wanted to do was retain the world title,” he said.

“Nothing else matters to me this year.

“I would rather be beaten in the first round in every tournament, every season and win the world championship every year than win one or two tournaments and get beat at Sheffield. That’s how much it means to me.”

Ebdon, who beat Stephen Hendry 18-17 in a thrilling final last year, has been working hard in the gym in the build-up to the tournament.

“I’d like to be in better form, but I’m very happy with the way my preparation has gone,” he added.

“I would say I’m in the best physical condition of my life. “In my opinion, fitness counts for a lot over 17 days in Sheffield.

“It’s very mentally draining and that becomes very physically draining.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan, who lifted the trophy two years ago, is the favourite to land the 270,000 pounds ($426,100) winners’ cheque.

He faces Hong Kong’s Marco Fu in the first round.

Seven-times champion Stephen Hendry is bracketed alongside fellow Scot John Higgins as the bookies second-favourite with 2000 champion Mark Williams also strongly fancied.

Draw for the first round (best of 19 frames): Peter Ebdon (England) v Gerard Greene (Northern Ireland) Ronnie O’Sullivan (England) v Marco Fu (Hong Kong) Mark Williams (Wales) v Stuart Pettman (England) John Higgins (Scotland) v Ian McCulloch (England) Ken Doherty (Ireland) v Shaun Murphy (England) Stephen Hendry (Scotland) v Gary Wilkinson (England) Stephen Lee (England) v Steve Davis (England) Matthew Stevens (Wales) v Chris Small (Scotland) Paul Hunter (England) v Ali Carter (England) Jimmy White (England) v James Wattana (Thailand) Mark King (England) v Drew Henry (Scotland) Graeme Dott (Scotland) v Rob Milkins (England) Joe Perry (England) v Sean Storey (England) Quinten Hann (Australia) v John Parrott (England) Alan McManus (Scotland) v Nigel Bond (England) Joe Swail (Northern Ireland) v Tony Drago (Malta)—Reuters