Stephen Hendry has labelled Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson “winning machines” as he hailed both players for outstanding campaigns.
Ace in the Pack Trump is the runway world No.1, but world champion Wilson has been in sensational form recently – making it to the final of the Masters where he lost to Shaun Murphy, before defeating Barry Hawkins in a Berlin epic to win the German Masters crown. And seven time world champion Hendry admits it’s a struggle to pick between the two players on current form, as he joked that Trump “didn’t like it” last time he picked his number one, because it acted as curse.
Speaking on his Snooker Club podcast with Mark Watson, Hendry said: “Well we’ve done this before and Judd didn’t like it! Kyren has a strong argument, you can’t deny that. Shaun Murphy obviously had a fantastic Masters and played brilliantly, but you have to say it’s a two player season dominated by Judd Trump and Kyren Wilson. Who are becoming winning machines.
“To win regularly like they are doing is a talent. Straight off the back of losing in the final of the Masters, to bounce back and win a huge event it’s hard to argue with. Whether he is the best player in the world over the whole season is a big argument. But you have to say, final of the Masters and winning in Berlin that he’s got a big argument.
“It’s been a phenomenal season as world champion. It’s been an incredible season. When he lost 6-0 in Shanghai I commented what a disaster it had been as his first match as world champion. But since then it’s been incredible, you can give him nothing but praise.” However Hendry did say that there was one area about Wilson that hadn’t impressed him – even if it had no impact on his performances at the table.
He continued: “I’m not sure about the haircut, it looks homemade to me. I’m not sure if that was on the eve of a tournament he decided to get the clippers out or what. When you do things like that (the big walk on), clapping, drawing attention to yourself, trying to bring something else to the game you have to back that up.
“He’s a character now and he’s doing different things as a way of creating a whole thing around him as a sports personality. But at the end of the day you have to back it up, and that’s impressive to me. I’ve seen players turn up in limos, get brand new suits made and come out with all sorts and get beaten in the first round. You have to back it up, and he is.”