Judd Trump thinks that coming into the World Snooker Championship slightly under the radar will help his chances of success in 2025.
The Englishman produced a special five-ton performance as he romped to a 10-4 victory against Zhou Yuelong in the first round on Wednesday.
As the sport’s runaway world number one, it would perhaps seem obvious that Trump would be considered the overwhelming favourite for glory this year.
But despite representing the pre-tournament favourite in the outright betting market, other players have perhaps been more hyped ahead of the action in Sheffield.
Kyren Wilson openly targeted becoming the first player to break the Crucible Curse, but the reigning champion suffered a 10-9 defeat to Lei Peifan on Saturday.
Neil Robertson was also in form heading into this year’s competition but bowed out following a 10-8 reverse to qualifier Chris Wakelin.
Many were tipping four-time world champions Mark Selby and John Higgins to challenge having won multiple titles recently, while there has also been a lot of attention on amateur Zhao Xintong and Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comeback.
Trump, who won three events during the first half of the campaign, hasn’t featured as prominently at the latter stages of events in recent months.
But the 35 year-old thinks that being less brazen about his Crucible chances, coupled with the focus somewhat being on others, might end up doing him favours in the long run.
“Some of the players have maybe been a little bit more vocal about their chances,” Judd Trump told the World Snooker Tour.
“Maybe that’s something that I’ve done in the past or been guilty of. This time, I didn’t want any limelight or any attention.”
“I was very confident in myself, so I didn’t really need to tell anyone of how I was playing or how I have practiced.
“I’m very happy with how I performed in some of the tournaments. I think with Manchester [at the Tour Championship], last year wasn’t good, and for some reason I don’t play particularly well there.
“I don’t think the conditions suit me, so I wasn’t that bothered about going out early there.
“I was just able to go back and practice even harder and have that hunger, so I was happy for some of the other players to take the limelight away from me.
“I would just come in under the radar and hopefully play like I did.”
Trump, who is two tons shy of the £100,000 century of century breaks prize that’s on offer this season, will face Shaun Murphy in the last 16.
The blockbuster battle has the makings of being a Crucible classic, although Trump has dominated their recent head-to-head rivalry.
In fact, the Bristol potter has beaten Murphy in all four matches they’ve contested during this campaign – including at the Shanghai Masters final and a 6-0 drubbing in last month’s Players Championship.
Still, Trump will know not to underestimate a formidable opponent who won the prestigious Masters in January and who contributed three tons during his 10-4 victory over Daniel Wells on Wednesday.
“He’s one of those players where you have to get off to a good start,” said Judd Trump, who also revealed that he suffered from a bout of tonsillitis last week.
“You have to be close after the first session, because he’s someone who plays with so much confidence.”
“If you’re not up at the interval, he’s walking around and kind of stomping around like he owns the place.
“He’s got that kind of mentality and that confidence about him, so he’s a very difficult player to play. He goes for his shots.
“If they go in, there’s not much you can do. Fortunately, I’ve played really well the last few times I’ve played him.
“I’ll have to play near the top of my game to have a chance this time as well.”
For the full 2025 World Snooker Championship draw, results, and schedule, click here.
Featured photo credit: WST
