2021 Champion of Champions

[PatBlock]

Great all round matchplay from Judd tonight, came from behind unflustered and kept the pressure up once ahead. He'll be very tough to beat in that form. Nice acceptance speech as well.

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[vmax]

Eric Cantona running onto the pitch at Old Trafford, collar turned up, stopping in the middle and slowly turning around, taking it all in and knowing 90% of the crowd were there to see him, showtime!

Judd's got that.

[Ronnie's tip]

Higgins has lost 7 of his last 8 big finals.
O'Sullivan has lost his last 5.

1/13 finals for them. It can't be a coincidence?

[Billy]

Higgins looks like he had a late night...

He looks like he isn’t 23 anymore

[DeanH]

Trump has always seemed quite grounded to me and talks about having dinner with his mum. Tours with his brother which must be nice for his mum to know they are both looking after each other and is always respectful of his opponent in post match interviews win or lose. If he wants to spend his winnings on flash cars good luck to him but no doubt there will come a time when he starts thinking about his future and kids and grand kids. Enjoy it while he can and I've never read a story of him falling out of nightclubs. If he's clever he can build up a strong brand and make as much from sponsorship over the next few decades as he makes from winnings.

The way he just took the 12th frame was poetry. Was hoping for more of a match tonight but Trump is playing as good as John did 20 years ago.

Back when Trump was young and had all his "hanger's on" crowd around him he did not convey himself very well on or off the table (IIRC he said so himself in an interview a few years ago) but luckily he has grown up and has matured into a cracking player and (seemingly) a "grounded" young man; how has preformed at the top end for many years now and has benefitted from it.

"Arrogance" at the table is a trait of top sportspeople in all sports and that seems to be something that many need to perform to win; off the table is another thing altogether and I don't believe Trump does that.
I have seen him a few times off the table behind the scenes at the Welsh and no arrogance there, not pretensions or entitlement that one or others seem to crave

I will hold my hand up and say I did not like Trump when he first arrived on the scene - not the "done thing" ; but (as said above) he has settled into a major ambassador of the game and a "alright" human being. As we can all hope to turn into once out of those teenager years

As for "get a kicking" - I think that comment reflects more on the author then the subject - I doubt Trump will lose any sleep or any money out of his bank account and "no mortgage" status over it

[itsnoteasy]

I thought Trump was very gracious during the post match interviews and was very respectful to John Higgins and for that reason alone if I ever meet him again I'm going to kick his head in as I'm a gentleman.

[Danger Steve]

I thought Trump was very gracious during the post match interviews and was very respectful to John Higgins and for that reason alone if I ever meet him again I'm going to kick his head in as I'm a gentleman.

I’d like to see you try

[mikee]

I said to the Mrs at the start of the evening session ,if Trump gets the first frame I doubt Higgins will win a single one ,of course I didn’t really completely belive that myself ,but it happened ..We’re lucky to have Judd in the game with his style of snooker ,I really think this is the changing of the guard ,John looked pained all evening as if he was going to miss everything . Great tournament without a barrage of centuries all night made for great match snooker too.

[mikee]

I thought Trump was very gracious during the post match interviews and was very respectful to John Higgins and for that reason alone if I ever meet him again I'm going to kick his head in as I'm a gentleman.

That’s very decent and humble of you ,I’m sure he would appreciate it .

[vmax]

John needs to have a few Ronnie masks made up and make his opponents wear them. I wonder if Phil Yates knows how many tremours per second are the norm on Johns backhand pause, bet he does