TRUMP ON A MISSION
Judd: It is my time to lift Sheffield crown
JUDD TRUMP insists it is finally his time to shine at the Crucible.
‘The Juddernaut’ arrives at the Betfred World Championship, which start today, in the form of his life after his best season yet.
Trump watched last night as celebrations to mark the 40th anniversary of the tournament at Sheffield’s Crucible saw former champions paraded on a green carpet and hailed in the arena.
And Trump, who coined the term ‘naughty snooker’ to describe his attacking style, wants to go one better than 2011 when he lost in the final to John Higgins.
“It is about time I won it, it was a close call when I lost to Higgins,” said Trump, who has won two titles and been in three more finals this season.
“But I feel now as if it is my time to step up to the plate. I am 27, my game has improved and I am coming off my best season.
“I am coming into my prime and probably the most confident I have been coming into tournaments.
“My level doesn’t dip so low and even when I don’t play my absolute ® best, I feel I have a chance of winning events due to the things I have added to my game.
“Most of the time I’ve been knowing I would play well rather than hoping. It gives you confidence.”
Trump is a shorter price in the betting than boyhood hero Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Reached
And the left-hander believes ‘The Rocket’ has lost not only consistency this season but also his fear factor. Trump said: “Ronnie has reached the age where his consistency is going to go.
“He has played smaller events but maybe he doesn’t take them as seriously and he isn’t as feared. On his day, he is as good as ever, but overall he’s lost maybe 10 or 15 cent. That will make a difference.”
Trump has been paired with pedestrian potter Rory McLeod in the first round.
On McLeod’s last visit to the Crucible, beaten opponent Ricky Walden compared the experience to “a trip to the dentist”.
O’Sullivan, a five-time champion, is looking to recreate his greatest Crucible moment when he captured his fourth title in 2012.
He said: “The win in 2012 will always be my favourite Crucible moment. I had endured a bad couple of years.
“A lot of people had started to write me off and, if I am honest, I didn’t think I would still be playing. I’d had enough in 2011.”