Judd Trump has hit back after snooker legend Stephen Hendry claimed that he needed to win at least one more World Championship to cement his legacy. Trump, 35, beat John Higgins in 2019 to earn his first Crucible crown but hasn’t got his hands on the trophy since.
The current world No.1 has made an impressive start to this year’s World Championship at the famous Crucible Theatre in Sheffield. Trump powered into the second round with a convincing 10-4 victory over Zhou Yuelong on Wednesday to continue his excellent form this season.
Having already won the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, Shanghai Masters and his fifth Triple Crown event at the UK Championship, Trump is the bookmakers’ favourite to go all the way. Ahead of his first-round match, BBC pundits Hendry and Mark Allen agreed that Trump needs to win the World Championship to go down as a legend.
“In my opinion, he does [need to win another world title],” seven-time world champion Hendry said. “I don’t think that’s maybe Judd’s opinion. Whether he’s trying to deflect the pressure or not, he says he wants to win as many titles as possible.
“It doesn’t have to be the world; it could be any title. He could win 100 titles and only win one world championship; he’s got to be considered a great. But in my opinion, you’ve got to win here more than once.”
Allen agreed by saying: “He’s won so much in recent years, he’ll be disappointed looking back on his career if he’s only won one world title, given how many other tournaments he’s won. He’s got the ability to win four or five of these, easy, and I think if he doesn’t, he’ll be disappointed.”
Trump isn’t having it, though, insisting that winning twice at the Crucible won’t change how he feels about his career. “No, I’d be happy with the money and stuff I’ve earned already. I’d hopefully be playing golf every day and living in Dubai in a massive mansion. I’m not gonna be disappointed,” the 35-year-old told SportsBoom.
“But no, I don’t put any pressure on myself. I’m very happy with my career record in Triple Crowns. I know how difficult they can be and on a couple occasions in the UK and the Worlds I could have been say here on three or more. There’s only fine margins I’ve lost, and to a lot of the greatest players of all time in those finals.”
Do you agree with Stephen Hendry? Have your say in the comments section.
Up next for Trump, who now lives in Dubai, is a clash with Shaun Murphy, the reigning Masters champion. Not only is a place in the quarter-finals up for grabs for Trump but also £100,00.
The six-figure sum will go to the first player who makes 100 century breaks during the 2024-25 season and after Trump made five against Yuelong, he’s within two of the prize. “I know that I am close,” he smilingly admitted to TNT Sports.
“I would be lying if I said it was not on my mind. It would be nice to get it out of the way early. I don’t want to be losing and desperately trying to make centuries and everything is going wrong and everyone is laughing at me as I’m one short.”
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