UK Championship: World No 1 Judd Trump admits 'motivation is just to be the best in the world'
Judd Trump has not won a trophy since being crowned UK champion in York 12 months ago.
But don’t mistake the lack of silverware as a sign the world No 1 is not eager to add to his 30 ranking titles – and, more importantly, remain the “best player in the world” – when he opens the defence of the Victorian Plumbing UK Championship at the city’s Barbican today.
The 36-year-old faces a former UK champion, Stephen Maguire, in the opening session today in York, starting at 1pm.
“The motivation is just to be the best in the world,” said Trump, who reached the finals of this season's Northern Ireland Open and Champion of Champions. “It isn’t so much trophies or anything else.
“Just the fact I don’t want to see anyone else as being the best player in the world. It is a good feeling to have.
“I enjoy putting the work in every day. It is ingrained as part of me at the moment and I don’t struggle getting out of bed to practise. I am always motivated to improve.
“When I’m not winning events that makes me even more motivated. Seeing other players taking the plaudits gives me a kick up the backside.
“It is always important to realise where you have come from. You need to remember the work it has taken to get here and the sacrifices of family members and friends.
“I always feel very fortunate to be in the position I’m in. It takes hard work and dedication. No matter where I live in the world, I’ll always be someone who puts the work in,” added the 2019 world champion.
Trump first tasted victory in Yorkshire with the UK title in 2011, beating Mark Allen 10-8 to claim his first Triple Crown trophy.
But he had to wait until last year – a 13-year gap – to add a second UK crown to his collection when he beat Barry Hawkins at the Barbican.
In between he had reached two more UK finals, only to fall against Ronnie O’Sullivan in 2014 and Neil Robertson in 2020.
“Because it had been so long since I’d won the UK Championship it was special,” said Trump of last year’s success. “My results haven’t been particularly amazing in the UK. It has been hit or miss.
“I’ve either got to the final or lost early. I’ve been to four UK finals now, even though I feel as if it has been my worst of the Triple Crown events.
‘I feel if I can get through the first round or two I can get to the final, but it is tricky to get that first win. This tournament is the first one of the season where you are back on the BBC. It is a massive event and you want to do well. It adds that little bit of pressure. Some events that I win I maybe don’t quite get the same satisfaction, but the ones where I can win in front of my parents it is always going to be special.”
Twelve months ago, Trump beat Robertson, John Higgins, Zhang Anda and Kyren Wilson, before holding off a Hawkins fightback in the final to triumph 10-8.
“I knew it was going to be tough,” said Trump. “Me and Barry have had a lot of good games over the years.
“It was really close the whole way and then I got a bit of momentum. Barry missed a shot or two in the second session and I managed to get a bit of a lead.
“All of a sudden he went crazy and I didn’t get much of a chance. I was preparing myself for a decider and he missed an easy ball. Even after that he got me in some horrible snookers and in the end, I was very relieved to get over the line.”
Now 36, there is no reason why Trump can not go on and lead the sport for the next decade.
“I think I’m going along nicely, I’m on five Triple Crown titles now,” he said.
“Since winning the World Championship in 2019, I’ve won the Masters twice, been in a couple of UK finals and the world final.
“It is ticking over well. If I keep going at this rate, then I should get to ten at least. It is all about pacing yourself now.
“It has already been proven age is no longer an issue. As long as you are playing to a decent standard then experience is a good thing.
“The prime of a snooker player has probably gone from being in a player’s 20s to late 30s or 40s now. According to that, if I keep putting the work in, then I have a long time left.”
Also in action this afternoon, Ryan Day faces Si Jiahui – one of 12 Chinese players in the 32 competing in York. Tonight, Shaun Murphy plays Lyu Haotian, while John Higgins takes on Ben Woollaston.
Belgian qualifier Julien Leclercq opens up against three-time UK champion Neil Robertson tomorrow afternoon, alongside Wu Yize against Michael Holt. In the evening it’s Xiao Guodong v Pang Junxu and Mark Williams v David Gilbert.