UK Championship 2024: "You Don’t Dream of Winning in China or Saudi,” says Judd Trump

World number one Judd Trump secured his fourth UK Championship final and ninth Triple Crown final appearance with a commanding 6-2 victory over reigning world champion Kyren Wilson this afternoon.

Trump’s Triple Crown Record

Trump’s dominance in the sport over recent seasons is undeniable, with the 34-year-old racking up titles and prize money at a record pace. However, success in the sport’s most prestigious events, the UK Championship, Masters, and World Championship, collectively known as the Triple Crown, has proven more elusive.

While Trump has four Triple Crown titles to his name, a remarkable achievement by any measure, critics often argue that a player of his calibre could have claimed even more. 

Most recently, Trump triumphed at the inaugural Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, earning an unprecedented £500,000 in prize money. 

Yet, despite the financial rewards offered by new global tournaments, the UK Championship and other Triple Crown events remain the benchmarks of snooker’s history and prestige.

Asked where the UK Championship ranks among modern major events and how much these traditional tournaments mean to him, Trump was reflective.

“It’s so difficult to judge these events,” he began.

“In terms of the feeling you get at the venues, like walking around backstage, I think these events will probably always be here just because of the history when you're growing up.”

You Don’t Dream of Winning in Saudi or China

Trump believes that the allure of the UK Championship and its Triple Crown counterparts stems from their familiarity to players and fans alike.

“Saudi, China, et cetera. You don't really dream of winning them,” he told SportsBoom.com. 

“I think the first tournaments that you watch on TV are the ones that you have the biggest memories from.”

Personal Connections 

For Trump, the UK Championship holds a unique personal significance as well. It’s one of the few events where his parents can attend, making his performances in these tournaments even more special.

“These are also the only tournaments my parents are able to get the time off. So that makes them even more special.”

Trump emphasised that these traditional events resonate deeply with players and audiences alike.

“In snooker terms, everyone around the world probably tunes into these [Triple Crown events] a little bit more than maybe some of the other ones.”

“You can feel that the stage is bigger, and the attention from the public, the media, just sort of takes it up a notch. If you can win in these, then more people take note.”

The Cueball Controversy

Back to the match itself, Trump’s semi-final clash with Wilson wasn’t without its unusual moments. 

Right at the start, Trump demonstrated his razor-sharp attention to detail by spotting a minor defect in the white cue ball.

“There was a little chip out of it,” Trump explained. 

“They said they were brand new balls, so I picked it up, and I could see a mark. I don’t know what happened, whether someone dropped it.”

Determined not to let the issue affect his game, Trump requested a replacement ball before taking his opening break.

“It would’ve annoyed me as I could see the mark, so I just wanted to get that out of the way straight away,” he said. 

“I think you're just so used to playing. As soon as I've seen the tiniest little thing on it, I just wanted to get it sorted.”

With his place in another UK Championship final now secured, Trump will hope to add to his growing Triple Crown legacy.