Ronnie O’Sullivan has named Judd Trump as his favourite to win the World Championship after The Rocket won the World Grand Prix on Sunday evening.
O’Sullivan, who beat Ali Carter in a thrilling Masters final last Sunday, completed a brilliant comeback to beat Trump 10-7 in Sunday’s World Grand Prix final.
The world No.1 was 6-3 down after the first frame of the evening session but showed his class to win six frames in a row.
Trump, who missed a final black which would have levelled the match to 7-7, stopped the rot to pull it back to 9-7 which gave him a glimmer of hope.
But in the final frame, Trump missed a double on the yellow which O’Sullivan sunk with a long pot and then went on to clear up for the match.
O’Sullivan is now three months away from the World Championship in April but The Rocket feels Trump, who won the event in 2019, is favourite for the tournament this year.
‘I played some of my best snooker ever last night against Ding. It gave me some confidence coming into today because I knew I’d have to play well, at least do something well, against Judd,’ O’Sullivan said after winning his fourth trophy of the season.
‘I enjoyed the match. Judd blasted me off the table at 4-0, I was thinking, ‘this could be an early night, a 10-1 job!’. I managed to nick a few frames in the afternoon, 5-3 gave me a bit of optimism, I came out and just thought, ‘just try, just see what happens’.
‘I enjoyed the battle. You have to battle against Judd because he’s a warrior.
‘For me, he’s the favourite for the World Championship this year. He’s strong.
‘When I play snooker I feel young in my head. I know age is a number, 48, but actually when I start playing I sort of feel like I knock 20 years off, I start to feel quite vibrant.
‘As long as I’m still feeling young when I’m at the table I don’t think age is really an issue, I think with experience it’s helping me, I’ve got a lot of experience now, I’ve won a lot of tournaments, I’ve been around a while, I’ve learned a lot about the game, I’m probably a better all-round player than I’ve ever been.
‘We’re middle of January, I’ve got three months to get some consistency in my game because I think you need consistency going into Sheffield. You don’t have to play great to win it, you’ve just got to be steady.
‘I’d like to find some consistency between now and then and then go to Sheffield and try to enjoy it, it’d be nice to enjoy it for a change.’
The World Grand Prix victory was another feather in O’Sullivan's cap as he continues to cement his legacy as one of the greatest snooker players of all time. His ability to come back from behind and secure the win against a formidable opponent like Judd Trump only adds to his reputation as a true master of the game.
As O’Sullivan sets his sights on the upcoming World Championship in April, his endorsement of Judd Trump as the favorite is a testament to the latter's skill and form. Trump's previous victory in the event in 2019 and his consistent performance on the circuit make him a strong contender for this year's championship.
O’Sullivan's reflections on his own performance and mindset reveal a deep understanding of the mental and physical aspects of the game.
His ability to harness his experience and maintain a youthful vigor on the table sets him apart as a seasoned competitor with a hunger for success.
With three months remaining until the World Championship, O’Sullivan's focus on finding consistency in his game highlights the importance of preparation and form leading up to such a prestigious event.
His desire to enjoy the experience further underscores his passion for the sport and his dedication to performing at his best when it matters most.
As the snooker world eagerly anticipates the showdown at Sheffield, the stage is set for an exhilarating display of skill and determination from players like Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump.
The clash of titans at the World Championship promises to be a spectacle that will captivate fans and showcase the very best that snooker has to offer.
