Less than 24 hours after his heart-breaking defeat in the Northern Ireland Open final – Yan Bingtao was already on the practice table looking to improve his game.

The 17-year-old sensation fell one frame short of becoming snooker’s youngest ever ranking title champion after losing out to Mark Williams in a final frame decider in Belfast.

But rather than take a short break to get over his loss, Monday was business as normal for the teenager as he was on the practice table getting ready for the UK Championship. A tweet.from the Vic Snooker Academy in Sheffield – where Bingtao learns his trade – read:  “As soon as getting back to Academy, Yan Bingtao is practicing without going home.”

It is this impressive determination and professional behaviour which has earned him plaudits from many in the game – including arguably the greatest player of all time Stephen Hendry.

The seven-times world champion responded to the tweet with the words: “The attitude of a champion”.

Stephen Hendry. Picture by Monique Limbos

Williams, who ended a six-year wait for ranking title silverware after beating Bingtao, joked he would be glad he will have retired when Bingtao’s reaches his peak at the age of 25. “What a future he has”, he said.

And he responded to Hendry’s and the Academy’s tweet by saying: “All youngsters take note of this.”

And another former world champion has been left very impressed with Bingtao’s dedication. Australian Neil Robertson tweeted: “Every young player on tour needs to look at how dedicated Bingtao is at the venues. Big future.”

Bingtao takes on fellow Chinese player Zhang Yong in the opening round of the UK Championship on Tuesday evening.