Judd Trump blames ‘older commentators’ for feeling underappreciated despite Crucible fireworks
'Some of the other people are maybe not quite as with the game as they used to be.'
Judd Trump feels he doesn’t always get the recognition that he deserves in snooker and believes it is down to ‘older commentators’ not quite giving him enough credit.
The world number one has been in impressive form at the Crucible so far, beating Zhou Yuelong and Shaun Murphy to reach the quarter-finals.
As he knocked in his second century on his way to a 13-10 win over Murphy, it took him to 100 tons for the season, only the third time that has ever happened and he has done it twice.
Clearly it is without question that Trump is a stunning snooker player, but Murphy feels he is so good that his level of quality is not properly recognised.
‘In terms of snooker ability, Judd is probably the most underappreciated player in the world,’ said the Magician after losing a brilliant battle with the world number one.
The suggestion that he is underappreciated was put to Trump and he agreed that can be the case, laying the blame at the feet of ‘older commentators’ who he doesn’t believe take in what he is doing on the table.
‘I think sometimes, it’s possible,’ Trump said of a lack of appreciation. ‘I’ve watched some of the performances that other people have put in and they’ve taken a lot of applause.
‘It’s difficult to judge yourself but I feel like I’ve played exceptionally well in both my games and maybe not taken as much applause as some of the other players.
‘I think sometimes it’s difficult because unless Shaun [Murphy], for example, will be out there playing against me and he’s commentating at the same time, so he can probably understand the level. I think maybe some of the other, older commentators can’t see that anymore. Maybe that’s why.
‘I think I’m appreciated among my peers. Some of the other people are maybe not quite as with the game as they used to be.’
Trump is in search of a second World Championship title, something Murphy expects him to achieve next week if he can keep up his current level of form.
The 35-year-old says another Crucible crown could see him appreciated more, but is not certain.
‘Maybe, but I’m not that bothered, I can just put them on mute,’ he said. ‘It doesn’t make a difference to me. I think that anyone knows anything about the game that’s currently playing can appreciate the level that I’m playing at.
‘I’ve probably got 14-15 good chances left, I’d hope, in the game. It’s difficult because I’m always going to be judged now, whereas every other player is 49-50 years old. I do have 15 years.
‘It would be nice if everyone stopped it at 35, and the world titles they won at this age, it would be more of a fair comparison. I know most of them won a lot of tournaments, but I know that Ronnie wasn’t at seven [World Championships] when he was 35. You have to take that into account.
‘I’d be disappointed in myself if I never won it again, but it wouldn’t be the end of the world. But I think the work I put in, I’d like to think that in the next 10-15 years I’d win it at least once.’
O’Sullivan is now on seven world titles, but had reached three at the age of 35, while John Higgins was on three, as was Mark Selby, and Mark Williams on two.
Trump continues his quest for a second when the quarter-finals get underway on Tuesday, almost certainly against Luca Brecel as the Belgian takes a 12-4 lead over Ding Junhui into the final session of their second round match.
