State of the Nation - Snookered but star performer Judd Trump can keep armchair viewers entertained

As snooker clubs up and down the country – like the Northern Snooker Club in Leeds – have been forced to close their doors to players, the professional ranks have also struggled.

But it is to the sport’s credit that the World Snooker Tour has managed to hold many of their major tournaments, despite the ongoing threat of Covid-19.

Fans were even allowed in for a couple of days at the World Championship in Sheffield, although most events – like the UK Championship, which had to vacate its usual York Barbican home – have since been held at a self-contained venue in Milton Keynes.

This month’s Masters in London will also be held behind closed doors, as snooker – like the rest of the country – continues to abide by the Tier system.

But set against this worrying backdrop, there has been some thrilling snooker on our TV screens over the last 12 months.

Judd Trump has dominated in 2020 – winning six world ranking titles – even if he failed to triumph at the Crucible.

Just five other players in the history of the game have won more ranking titles than Trump’s 20 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (37), Stephen Hendry (36), John Higgins (30), Steve Davis (28) and Mark Williams (22) – and many would not bet against the 31-year-old finishing up, if I dare say it, as Top Trump.

On a local level, David Grace’s last 12 months have been almost as impressive – even if his trophy cabinet remains empty.

The 35-year-old from Leeds has reached the business end of several tournaments – like the semi-finals at the Northern Ireland Open – and has climbed into the world’s top 16 in the one-year money list. He sits above stellar names like Shaun Murphy, Mark Allen and Mark Williams.

That is some achievement for a player – Grace first turned professional in 2008 – who has struggled at times to produce his best snooker on the biggest stage.

As for 2021, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn is not one to stand still.

He said: “I fully believe that 2021 will be a fantastic year for snooker.”

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