John Higgins Demands More Respect for Judd Trump as Snooker's Next Flag-Bearer
Snooker legend John Higgins has issued a passionate plea for greater appreciation of world number one Judd Trump, whom he believes should be unequivocally recognized as the sport's next flag-bearer. Higgins, a four-time world champion himself, argues that Trump's achievements and style merit far more acclaim than he currently receives.
Trump's Impressive Record and Ranking Success
Judd Trump recently secured his 31st ranking title with a victory at the German Masters earlier this month, solidifying his position as fourth on the all-time list of ranking tournament winners. This places him behind only snooker greats Ronnie O'Sullivan with 41 titles, Stephen Hendry with 36, and Higgins with 33. Despite this remarkable consistency, Trump's sole World Championship triumph in 2019 is often highlighted by critics as a shortcoming.
Higgins, however, dismisses such criticism as unwarranted. "I'll be brutally honest. I hear a lot of people saying this, and I don't know what Judd Trump has got to do in the game to actually be classed as the next flag-bearer," Higgins stated. "Because he's won just as much as anybody in the game. It's maybe not the world titles that he wants, but I'm sure they'll come."
The Debate Over Snooker's Shining Light
While Ronnie O'Sullivan continues to dominate discussions as snooker's premier star, there is ongoing speculation about who will succeed him. Higgins contends that Trump is the obvious candidate, pointing to his volume of titles, dynamic playing style, and marketable image. "For him to have won the volume of titles, the style he plays, smart-looking young guy, I don't know why more's not made of him being the flag-bearer for the game," Higgins added.
He also noted the tendency to overlook Trump in favor of other narratives, such as the focus on O'Sullivan or emerging talents like Zhao Xintong. "I think you've just got to give that guy so much kudos for what he's been doing in the game in the last six or seven years," Higgins emphasized.
Personality and Public Perception
Higgins and Trump have faced off in memorable matches, including two World Championship finals, with Higgins winning in 2011 and Trump in 2019. The Scot speculated that Trump's relatively clean-cut persona might contribute to his underappreciation. "He's just a decent young guy who you never see in trouble," Higgins observed. "So the British public... maybe they want a guy like Alex Higgins or a Jimmy White or a Ronnie. There's maybe a little bit of baggage there that they can shout for."
Trump himself has echoed these sentiments, expressing that he feels underappreciated despite his accomplishments. In a past interview, he remarked, "I think now more than ever I am. For my age I've won a lot of events and achieved a lot of things in snooker." He added that recognition often comes post-retirement, a common trend in sports.
Current Tournament Action
In related snooker news, Higgins began his Players Championship campaign with a decisive 6-1 win over Neil Robertson, advancing to a quarter-final match against Chris Wakelin or Xiao Guodong. Meanwhile, Judd Trump is set to start his Telford challenge against Zhou Yuelong, continuing his pursuit of further titles and, perhaps, the respect Higgins believes he deserves.
As the debate over snooker's future star rages on, Higgins' advocacy highlights a critical conversation about how achievements are valued in the sport, urging fans and critics alike to acknowledge Trump's significant contributions and potential as its next leading figure.
