John Higgins starts the defence of his world champion's crown today at Sheffield's Crucible Theatre - the venue he used to detest.
Higgins' hatred for the home of snooker stems from his first appearance, when he was hammered by fellow Scot Alan McManus.
But the 23-year-old now insists he hopes the tournament "is never taken away from the Crucible".
Higgins said: "I hated it when I first played here but I've come to love it and there's nowhere else like it.
"I didn't like the fact you sat next to your opponent shoulder-to-shoulder and there were always old women rustling sweet papers which distracted me.
"It was a total let-down in the first year but I love it now. It's a unique atmosphere."
Higgins has become one of snooker's highest-profile players since his 18-12 success over Ken Doherty in last year's final.
However, he realises the public often associate more with the stars of yesteryear than they do with the current crop of players.
"Snooker seems to be getting back to where it was a few years ago in terms of popularity," said Higgins.
"I think because there are so many young players in the sport that a lot of young people are interested in taking up the game.
"Hopefully we can become as famous as some of the older guys like Cliff Thorburn, Terry Griffiths or Bill Werbeniuk - mind you, I don't think I'm able to drink quite so much as Bill.
"But having said that, I would not like to live my life like David Beckham when he's constantly having his picture taken all the time."
Higgins admits he will be "a little frightened" when he starts his defence tomorrow against Gerard Greene, but added: "I'm ready for the challenge."
He is seeded to meet Stephen Hendry in the best-of-35 frames final starting on Sunday, May 2nd - and that would be a fitting conclusion to the final World Championship of the 20th century.
Hendry has dominated the sport through the 1990s but in the last 12 months has lost his world title and world number one spot to his former stable-mate.
But the 30-year-old world number two believes he is one of four players capable of winning the 1999 title.
Hendry said: "I'd be very surprised if the winner comes from outside myself, Higgins, Ronnie O'Sullivan or Mark Williams. However, Ronnie needs to get his act together and try to remain concentrated for the full 17 days.
"If you take the top four away there are probably another half dozen who are capable of winning it. But somehow I wouldn't expect them to.
"My last real ambition is to win a seventh world title. Winning other events is great but my real desire is another World Championship. I certainly won't need any extra motivation."
Steve Davis is also trying for title number seven. He will be making his 21st consecutive appearance at the Crucible and trying to stay in the world's top 16 for a 20th successive term.
Cambridgeshire cueman Joe Perry provides his opposition in the first round, with youth unlikely to triumph over experience.
John Parrott, the only Englishman to win the crown this decade comes to Sheffield for the 16th time. The jovial Liverpudlian has always thrived on the extra workload provided by his status as a Question of Sport captain but there has been a question mark over his form.
Of the 16 qualifiers Welshman Darren Morgan is a former Crucible Theatre semi-finalist and captained Wales to success in this season's Nations Cup.
London-based Irishman Leo Fernandez, the world number 155, is the least experienced of the qualifiers.
