Snooker star is gunning for Ronnie O’Sullivan as Rocket warned he may lose his crown this year
Ronnie O’Sullivan has received a warning from Judd Trump that he intends to overtake him for the world No. 1 spot before the season is out.
After winning his fourth championship of the campaign on Sunday at the German Masters, Trump is eager to face the Rocket again.
Since the season began in June of last year, O’Sullivan has also won four tournaments, including the first two Triple Crown competitions.
After winning the UK Championship in December, the 48-year-old went on to win an unprecedented seventh Masters championship in January.
O’Sullivan withdrew from the German Masters in order to concentrate on his “health and wellbeing” and is currently taking a vacation from competition.
Trump made use of the seven-time world champion’s absence in Berlin after losing to O’Sullivan in the World Grand Prix final last month.
In the Sunday final, he defeated Si Jiahui 10-5 to win his 27th career ranking event title.
Trump continued his winning streak into 2024 after winning three events in October of last year: the English Open, Wuhan Open, and Northern Ireland Open.
“In response to the WST, Trump expressed his satisfaction with his performance and threatened to fight O’Sullivan to the top of the rankings. “Yeah, it’s nice to be playing well all season long really,” he said. “I’ve not had many bad events and it’s nice to be up there challenging again for that No 1 spot come the end of the season.” “If me and Ronnie keep that same form, it’ll be a good battle and hopefully we can meet in a few more finals before the end of the season.”
Trump is currently the world No 2 but is very much in with a chance of catching O’Sullivan before the season ends in May.
The 34-year-old says he has used criticism of him in recent years as inspiration to win more tournaments.
Trump added: “After the last couple of seasons, where I haven’t been winning four, five or six titles, people have been very quick to point that out. It is nice to do it again this season.
“Maybe hearing what some people say off the table pushes me to the level where I am able to produce it week in and week out. I have always been very dedicated.
“When you come to venues like this [in Berlin] it just ignites something and brings back the passion that I had as a kid.”
