Judd Trump can ‘dominate’ snooker following his UK Championship win if he continues to tap into the mindset of Manchester United.
The Johnstone’s Paint Masters Snooker will once again take place at Alexandra Palace from January 12-19. The event will feature the world’s top 16 snooker players as they battle it out for the title position and promises to be one to remember. Ronnie O’Sullivan is the defending champion, having defeated Ali Carter 10–7 in the 2024 final to win his eighth Masters title.
But this time around Trump is the favourite and snooker legend Dennis Taylor had his say on what makes him stand out among the pack at the moment. Speaking to Betway.com, he said: “You could see what it meant to him [winning the UK Championship] in the interview afterwards, he was absolutely delighted. He paid a good tribute to his opponent Barry Hawkins. If it got to 9-9, Barry would have been a strong favourite to win that last frame. Trump is now the polished article. His all-round game is fantastic, he’s worked on his tactical game and is second to none now.
“He’s put an awful lot of work into it and not only that, but I was also talking to Sir Alex Ferguson at a Man United game, and he used to say about United when they were at their best is one of the big secrets is patience. He is patient. When you watch Judd, he doesn’t rush into every shot and waits for the right moment. Judd is going to take some beating because he is one of the players everyone loves watching as you’re going to see shots you won’t see any other player playing and he wants to win everything he plays in. Whoever is going to beat Judd, they will have to play out of their skin to win.”
He added: “There’s no reason why he can’t [dominate]. We talk about Steve Davis dominating the 1980s, and he did. Stephen Hendry dominated the ‘90s and Ronnie O’Sullivan has had an unbelievable amount of success. It’s as difficult to dominate the game these days because there are so many great players out there.
“But Judd has won three titles this season and is so full of confidence, and all of the players know there are hardly any weaknesses in his game. Even if they play a good tactical game, Judd can match them with that. But he keeps his patience and when he gets his chance, Judd is devastating. He possibly could dominate but there are so many good players out there it is difficult to, but he won’t be far away.”
Taylor also hailed the level of talent on show at the Masters and what O’Sullivan needs to do to get back to his best. He added: “I managed to win the Masters, but it’s the most difficult tournament to win with the exception of the World Championship because you’ve got the world’s top 16 players in the event every time. Look at the draw. Judd Trump has to play Barry Hawkins in the first round, and Barry will be looking to get a bit of revenge there. Every tie could be like a final when you are in the Masters. The other mouth-watering tie is Ronnie O’Sullivan against John Higgins. I’m working on the Masters, and to be involved in the commentary box watching Ronnie O’Sullivan and John Higgins, is going to be an absolute belter. That could be any final of a tournament.
“It’s a mental thing with Ronnie and Steve Peters was around and did wonders for him. He’s won plenty of world titles. I don’t see Steve Peters around and Ronnie needs something like that to get him into the right mind. Sometimes when Ronnie walks into the arena, you just sense with the expression on his face that he’s not quite there with it but when he’s got that snooker face on and goes out there, he’s so difficult to beat. But he’s been losing, and people aren’t frightened like they used to be (playing him) and they still have to play well. I think once he gets himself mentally fit again, he’ll be back in the winner’s circle.”