Judd Trump fears the future is bleak for British snooker players
Judd Trump
Judd Trump reckons the UK will be powerless to stop China’s snooker takeover — because British kids are lazy.
The World No.1, 35, watched on in awe as Zhao Xintong blasted his way to a maiden world title over the Bank Holiday weekend, much like the Ace in the Pack did in 2019.
Zhao became China’s long-awaited first world champion and that is seemingly a sign of things to come with the unbelievable talent emerging at freakish regularity from the country.
Zhao became China’s long-awaited first world champion
There were a record ten potters from the Far East country at the Crucible this year, with five players now ranked in the elite top 16 and ten inside the top 32 — with many of those under the age of 30. And former world champion Trump said: “I just think kids from the UK don’t want to work as hard. It is as simple as that.
“I don’t think they have less chances. I don’t think they want it as bad as some of the players over there.
“A lot of kids nowadays probably, their lifestyle is too luxurious. They want all the latest gadgets, and trainers and not willing to lock themselves in a room for 5-6 hours a day, which many of the Chinese players do.
“They are hungrier than them. That is my attitude. Apart from a couple of players, Stan Moody, is one of them, who looks like he wants it and works hard.
“But other than that, I don’t think the hunger is there to be honest. And you can see that when they play.”
Jimmy White expects the biggest names in snooker, like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Judd Trump, to be put under pressure by new world champion Zhao Xintong.
Jimmy White has fired a warning to the likes of Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump following Zhao Xintong’s stunning Crucible triumph. Zhao has been crowned China’s first world snooker champion after withstanding a stirring comeback from Mark Williams to complete an 18-12 win in Sheffield.
As well as the famous trophy, Zhao collected a cheque for £500,000 as he became only the third qualifier and the first amateur player to triumph at the Crucible, having lost his tour card in January 2023 for his part in a match-fixing scandal, which saw him serve a 20-month suspension. Having won the UK Championship in 2021 - before his ban - Zhao was an amateur in name only. He will be back on the tour full-time next season when he will be a major threat to the likes of world No.1 Trump, 2024 world champion Kyren Wilson and O’Sullivan, assuming the Rocket decides to play on in 2025/26.
Snooker legend Jimmy White, 63, who will be on the tour himself after receiving an invitational card, is convinced Zhao will win many more titles over the next few years. Speaking on TNT Sports, the Whirlwind said: "What a player. It’s just about playing snooker [for him]. He’s got that natural gift and he’s played fantastic.
"When he beat Jak Jones I said if the draw pans out and he stays with O’Sullivan in the first session, I think he can go on and win it.”
White didn’t even think Zhao was at his best during the tournament, adding: "This kid can win multiple World Championships. We’ve all known about him and he’s just proved it. At ease, he’s won this World Championship in probably third to fourth gear."
Jimmy White expects Zhao to win many more major titles
Beaten finalist Williams is also expecting big things from Zhao over the next few years. The Welshman said: “He is as good to watch as O’Sullivan was when he was younger.
“He just strolls around the table and pots balls from anywhere as if he doesn’t have a care in the world. Xintong is going to be a national hero now.
“He’ll be on the front page of every news outlet going and I’m sure there are Chinese companies ready to throw zillions at him. It’s great for our sport to have someone at the top who is so attacking and so young.”
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