Judd Trump defends Luca Brecel from criticism ahead of mouth-watering Crucible clash

Judd Trump says criticism of Luca Brecel’s dedication to snooker is wayward because his ‘carefree’ approach is what makes him so dangerous.

Trump and Brecel meet in an eye-catching Crucible quarter-final this week, with both having played some brilliant stuff so far in Sheffield.

The world number one has been pretty relentlessly excellent in his two wins so far, while the Belgian Bullet was not great in his first win over Ryan Day but spectacularly good in thrashing Ding Junhui 13-4 in the second round.

Brecel has been playing with his usual cavalier approach, very rarely turning down any opportunity to take on a pot, which is thrilling when he is playing well.

The 30-year-old has been practicing ahead of this tournament, but doesn’t always spend as much time on the practice table as his rivals, memorably saying his preparation for his 2023 World Championship win consisted mostly of playing darts.

Trump says he has seen criticism of this approach, but does not agree with it as if Brecel lost his relaxed style then he would not be the same player.

‘When I was 21-22 and came here I thought exactly the same as him, I didn’t care, just go out and play snooker,’ said Trump. ‘I’ve seen a lot of comments saying that if he dedicated himself more he’d be unbelievable, but he wouldn’t because of how carefree he is.

‘If you start practicing it means a lot more because it hurts more and I think he’s just got that balance where he can enjoy snooker. I don’t think he could cope with doing six or seven hours a day and taking the losses. That’s the difference between [me and] him.

‘He’s very happy with his life, I don’t think anyone can judge someone that’s happy off the table, I think that’s the most important thing.

‘As you get older you appreciate it more and more, bad things happening around you and I think someone that can go and play with a smile on their face all the time is refreshing.

‘I’d like to see Luca keep that style of play up because even in worst case I was to lose, it’s nice to watch in the final. It’s good for snooker to have these different personalities.’

Brecel was criticised in his year as reigning world champion, not playing in every event and not winning many matches when he did play.

He spent a lot of time travelling the world and has admitted that he would not do the same if he lifted the trophy again in Sheffield.

‘It was too much travelling maybe, it makes you really tired,’ he said. ‘It was enjoyable. But I think if I won it again I’d stay home, chill and not do so much.’

Trump would not have taken the same approach and indeed he didn’t when he was world champion in 2019, but again backed Brecel to do whatever is right for him.

‘I would have loved to see him just work a tiny bit harder but he obviously didn’t want to,’ said Trump. ‘Who’s to say…he could be a two-time world champion in a week and shut everyone up again.

‘It’s difficult to find the line. He’s obviously a very inspirational player. I’ve tried to cut that out of my game to be more consistent when it’s not going right.

‘The fact that Ryan let him off in that first game, he took a lot of belief from that and in the next game he was walking around like he owns the place. He’s got that mentality where he can walk all over you if you let him and it’s important to stop that early on.’

Explaining the big boost in form from his scrappy win over Day to his thrashing of Ding, Brecel said: ‘The problem against Ryan was that I had a new tip. The previous tip I played with for three or four months, I was really used to it.

‘This tip was so new, I didn’t get used to it in the beginning. And playing on new tables. At home it’s like a club table. I’m not used to these conditions, so that’s why it took some time.

‘It won’t be easy. For Judd it will be because he’s used to playing so well, but for me it’s not so easy, but if I can then it will be a good game.

‘We play the same game, I guess. It’s not easy to play well all the time, but I will have to do it against Judd.’

The quarter-final clash begins at 2.30pm on Tuesday at the Crucible, with two more sessions on Wednesday.