Snooker star makes stance clear on Ronnie O'Sullivan ahead of Tour Championship - 'It really gets me going'

Snooker star makes stance clear on Ronnie O'Sullivan ahead of Tour Championship - 'It really gets me going'

WATCH NOW: Ronnie O'Sullivan risks angering UK fans after thumping victory in Riyadh

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 25/03/2024

- 11:35

World No 2 Judd Trump says having the crowd against him is a motivational tool

Judd Trump claims he gets motivated by the crowd being in support of Ronnie O'Sullivan when he faces the seven-time world champion.

Fans often flock to tournaments just to see the Rocket and are much more vocal in favour of him during matches.


Trump won his fifth ranking title of the season at the World Open on Sunday, beating home favourite Ding Junhui in the final.

The 2019 world champion admits it can be 'lonely' for some players when a large majority of the crowd is supporting the opponent.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Judd Trump says he is motivated by the crowd favouring Ronnie O'Sullivan

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However, Trump has reminisced over previous meetings with O'Sullivan, where he claimed he used the 48-year-old's support to his 'advantage'.

After beating Ding, Trump said: "It can be a very lonely atmosphere if things start going his way, so I knew it was important to finish off the job as soon as possible.

"It was one of those games I thrive on. I remember against Ronnie in a Masters final and I did the same thing. It’s something that really gets me going.

"I knew it was going to be tough, and I knew it was important to get a good lead, because you could feel the support behind him, but I think it was also very fair.

"Nobody wants to have their opponent having more support than you, but sometimes you have to use it to your advantage, to motivate yourself."

Trump beat O'Sullivan in the final of the Masters in 2019, winning 10-4 at Alexandra Palace.

However, he has now lost his last six matches against O'Sullivan, most recently in the semi-final of the Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker.

The duo have undoubtedly been the standout players this season, with O'Sullivan also having won five tournaments.

The pair will both be at the Tour Championship in Manchester next week, where they can't meet until the final.

The final tournament of the season is at the World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield, which begins on April 20.

Trump admits it has been a 'dream' season and is hoping to add two more tournaments to his already impressive haul.

He added: "It’s obviously going to be difficult, but I’ve put myself in an amazing position.

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Judd Trump

Judd Trump stormed to a fifth ranking title win of the season at the World Open

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"I think I said this at the start of the season after I’d won three in a row.

"I was able to just relax and enjoy the season. If I didn’t win another game it would have been an amazing season.

"I’ve managed to keep ticking over, winning the German [Masters] and winning this one, with a couple of finals as well. It’s been a dream season for me."

O'Sullivan will head to Sheffield aiming to win a record-breaking eighth World Championship.

Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan

Judd Trump has lost his last six matches against Ronnie O'Sullivan

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It is a feat he is keen to achieve, recently saying: "Yeah I'd love to. I'd love to try and win the Crucible. It's a hard tournament, long time, 17 days. So a lot can happen there.

"I'd love to win that another time to make it eight but there's so many good players around.

"So you have to get a little bit of luck, play some good snooker at the right time. I'll be going there trying my best."

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