Betfair Masters Big Interview: Tournament favourite Judd Trump talks to us ahead of the Ally Pally action

9Jan 2013

Betfair

Judd Trump was snooker's golden boy in 2012, reached number one, but then lost the top spot just five weeks later. Betfair thought we'd drop in to see him at a warm- up tournament in Essex to see how he was feeling ahead of the Masters which starts on Sunday...

Hi Judd. All ready for Ally Pally?

Yes, I always look forward to the Masters. It's always drawn the biggest crowds at certainly the English venues. It's the first big tournament of the year, I'm getting some good practice in and hopefully will be ready.

What did you think of the move to Alexandra Palace last year?

I think it's a great venue. My favourite has always been Wembley, but after moving last year the Masters had pretty much packed houses for every game and that was good for the sport. I expect the same again. I think the crowd feel they can get involved that bit more, and I like that. When they are a bit noisier it kind of spurs you on to play better. There were quite a few comebacks last year where the crowd got on the side of the guy who was losing and it sort of spurred him on to play better.

Did you go to the darts?

Yes, I went to the semi-final, it was my first ever time going there. Michael Van Gerwen nearly hit two nine darters in a row, and it was quite a special atmosphere. I think we need to look at darts, not too closely, but to create that sort of atmosphere.

You are favourite for the Masters, do you feel you should be?

Yes, I had a bit of time off, I feel refreshed now. I need a couple of days of real hard practice and I'm pretty sure I'll be ready.

You've had time to think about that defeat by Mark Joyce. What's the verdict?

I wasn't too disappointed, I think sooner or later I was due a bad result. I reached five finals in a row, sooner or later I was due a bad one, maybe it just gave me in some way the kick I needed going into the second half of season.

Was losing the number one spot so quickly a frustration?

Maybe, but not so much. It was good that Mark Selby went on and won the tournament, it will push me that bit more. To be honest I'm more worried about winning trophies than the ranking. I have missed a few tournaments, whereas Mark has played in a few more than me. I think in his eyes it is bigger to him. I just want to win as many tournaments as possible. When people look back on a career it is how many trophies you won rather than how long you were number one that they bother about.

Are you a New Year's resolution sort of person? What other ambitions have you got for 2013?

Just snooker and more snooker, to be honest. I just plan to make sure I concentrate hard and have a successful end to the season.

When you got your first big prize cheques about 18 months ago you talked about wanting to spend the money on 'something flash' rather than be sensible. Are you still like that?

Not so much now, I don't think. This season I've just concentrated hard on snooker and tried to keep the distractions to a minimum. You start to realise how it is the sport and the winning that you love most and the bits and pieces it brings are just a bonus. And maybe to get knocked out first round has kind of brought that back. I'm looking forward to practising again and I've got more to aim for.

You used to listen all the time to an iPod when you practised. Do you still?

Not so much, in the days I tend to just go in and play normally, but if I go back for extra work at night I put music on to keep me motivated.

What's the big track now?

Anything, mainly R'n B still - Chris Brown is a favourite, Kanye West I like too. Stuff that gets the adrenalin going.

You've practised a lot at different times with Ronnie O'Sullivan. What's your take on his situation and does the game need him back?

I don't know. I don't think snooker is doing badly without him. I think it would be good to have him back for the World Championship to defend his title, if the defending champion is not there it would be a bit strange, so hopefully he will be back for that. But I think snooker will do ok without him. I know him pretty well, so he needs to do what he has to do off the table. Hopefully he can sort things out and it would be nice to play him one day in a World final, or who knows maybe the Masters another year.

Thanks for your time and we've a free £50 bet for a favourite charity.

Great - I've just started working with The Teenage Cancer Trust so that would be perfect - and I'll play safe and back Manchester United for the Premier League title. I know they are big odds on at 1.37 but I see it as a guaranteed winner and as it's for charity that's the best way to go.