World No.1 Judd Trump has opened up on his decision to cut back the number of events he plays.
The Ace in the Pack has been picking and choosing tournaments to compete in as he focuses on a bid for World Championship glory in May, but left fans in Scotland gutted after pulling out of the Scottish Open in Edinburgh late last year. And Trump, who is aiming for a third Masters crown, revealed why he believes he’s taken the right decision – after a glittering season so far, that saw him become the first ever snooker star to collect more than £1million in prize money before Christmas.
Speaking to the BBC, Trump said: “I’m trying to be a little bit more patient. It’s very difficult because when you come off the back of a win and you’re full of confidence it’s very difficult to miss events. But for me it’s about trying to pace myself this season and giving myself some time off to enjoy things away from the table as well. Sometimes I get too eager in trying to win everything and lose sight of the bigger events. This year I’ve tried to do things differently.
“The Masters is a very special tournament now with the set up and everything, it’s the only big tournament in the centre of London which adds a very unique perspective. It’s probably my favourite venue that we get to play in, every time you get to play in this event it’s so special. It’s the first tournament after new year, you’ll always be a bit rusty, but if you can get through the first game and into the tournament then it’s very exciting.”
Trump, who has won 30 ranking titles in his 19 year career, is now being compared to top stars from the sport’s history – with former world champion John Parrott saying he can now be compared to some of the greats, including Scotland’s Stephen Hendry. Speaking at the Masters, Parrott was asked if Trump was now into Steve Davis and Hendry territory and replied: “Very much so, he’s making hay at the moment because he’s playing so well.
“He’s the man to beat in every tournament he turns up in, like all the top players they want to have the CV that they’ve won all the major championships. You can see them talking about it. He’ll be very keen to get this one as well.”