Judd Trump hails Masters glory as 'best ever win', compares himself to Mark Selby after 10-8 victory over Mark Williams
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 16/01/2023 at 05:22 GMT
He may not have found his big break scoring ability throughout the tournament but Judd Trump is the 2023 Masters winner following a battling 10-6 victory over Mark Williams. The 33-year-old admitted he didn't expect to come on top and feels like it's his best ever success of his glittering career. He also likened his dogged determination to that of Mark Selby.
'By far my best ever win' – Trump on 'Selby-ing' his way to the title
Judd Trump hailed his 2023 Masters triumph as the “best ever win” of his career “by far” after he edged out Mark Williams 10-8 in a thrilling final.
At just 33 years old, the ‘Ace in the Pack’ has enjoyed a glittering career, winning the World Championship in a high-quality final against John Higgins back in 2019 and sealing a record-breaking six ranking tournaments in the next season.
He won another five ranking titles in 2020-21 and was the player to beat during those three years.
But his success at Alexandra Palace on Sunday night - where was joined by his father, mother and brother to lift the Paul Hunter Trophy - is his first since the Turkish Masters 10 months ago.
He now enters the elite club of multiple Masters winners, which includes Williams, Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Alex Higgins, Mark Selby, Paul Hunter, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Henry and Ronnie O'Sullivan.
He now enters the elite club of multiple Masters winners, which includes Williams, Neil Robertson, John Higgins, Alex Higgins, Mark Selby, Paul Hunter, Cliff Thorburn, Steve Davis, Stephen Henry and Ronnie O'Sullivan.
Trump may have struggled to find his big-break scoring ability but what he missed in ruthlessness, he made up for in dogged determination as he battled his way to victory.
It was a similar pattern all week, starting with a nervy 6-5 win over Ryan Day and followed by unconvincing displays against Barry Hawkins and Stuart Bingham.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/01/16/3526882-71884813-2560-1440.jpg)
The moment Judd Trump sealed the Masters title
Speaking immediately after making a spectacular 126 to clinch the match, a delighted Trump was asked how he felt.
“Incredible, really,” he responded. “I got totally outplayed in the whole game, really. I was just trying to hang on. At 8-7 down, I was kind of gone and I managed to win that frame and I played alright in the last couple of frames.
“But yeah, I should have been out first round. Should have been out second round. Should have lost this one. Like a cat I am.
“But no, honestly, it's easy to say but I think the way I played this week… not my best.
“A couple of times I missed balls over the pockets by an absolute mile. I didn't know what was going on.”
Likening his safety play and battling display to Mark Selby’s, he continued: “This is by far my best-ever win, by far.
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/01/16/3526891-71884993-2560-1440.jpg)
'I’ve never missed so many easy balls' – Trump surprised with Masters victory
“I think a lot of people played better than I did, but I was just able to do a ‘Selby’ on everyone and just grind it out.
“It’s nice to win again, it's been a while. It's been a hard season, lost a lot of close games but I’m just incredibly happy.”
Trump now turns his attention to the World Grand Prix, and he concluded his speech with a joke, saying: “I'm disappointed I've got a tour on Tuesday because I just want to go and get smashed!”
- - -
Stream top snooker action live on discovery+ and on eurosport.co.uk
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement