Stephen Hendry believes Judd Trump could win the 2026 China Open. He cited Trump's achievements at the Shanghai Masters. The event is the biggest ranking tournament of the new snooker season. It will start on Saturday in Taiyuan. Trump will face Noppon Saengkham in the first round. He won one ranking title this season at the German Masters. He also reached several major finals. Such a record is considered solid for most players on the tour.
At the age of 36, Trump delivered a standout performance in the Shanghai Masters, where he triumphed over Kyren Wilson with a score of 11-6 in the final. This victory marked his second title and showcased his exceptional form throughout the entire event. The tournament highlighted his skill and ability to remain composed under pressure, a trait that bodes well for his upcoming challenges.
Cue Change Boosts Trump
Hendry credited Trump's better performance to a recent decision. He chose a specific cue to commit to. This move boosted his confidence, Hendry said. Last season, Trump tried out four different cues. He found one that felt right. According to Hendry, Trump is now fully adapted to this cue. His recent performances show this. 'He’s a lot happier with the cue he’s using,' Hendry said on the Snooker Club podcast. 'He only started using it six days before the World Championship,' he added. The seven-time world champion highlighted Trump's play in the Shanghai final. He called it a sign of newfound confidence.
Hendry praised Trump's versatility. He can handle different types of games. This has made Trump a more well-rounded player. However, Trump has a challenge ahead. Over £500,000 will be removed from his two-year tally this month. Many of these points came from the Saudi Arabia Masters. That tournament is now defunct. Trump cannot defend those points. This adds pressure on the reigning world number one. He must accumulate points early in the season. This situation creates an opportunity for other top players to rise in the rankings.
Strong Competition Ahead
Zhao Xintong is the current world champion. He is the top favorite in the betting for the China Open. Neil Robertson and Wu Yize are also in contention. They may challenge Trump for the top spot. Both players are known for their consistency. If Trump falters, they have the potential to take the lead.
Despite the competition, Hendry remains optimistic about Trump's prospects. He’s a winning machine when he gets on that roll,” Hendry said, drawing from his own experience as a dominant world number one in the 1990s. He noted that while Trump may not intimidate opponents in the same aggressive manner as he once did, his overall skill and ability to handle various game situations are still formidable.
Hendry explained that Trump's intimidation factor now stems from his status as world number one, which is reflected in his gameplay. You don’t win what he’s won and get to world no.1 without having all aspects of the game,” Hendry said. While some may argue that Trump's style of play has become less flashy than in the past, there is no doubt that his comprehensive skill set has made him a stronger competitor overall.
If Hendry's prediction holds true and Trump claims the China Open title, it would mark an ideal start to the new ranking campaign and significantly bolster his chances of maintaining his position at the top of the world rankings. As the snooker season progresses, the eyes of the snooker community will be on Trump to see if he can continue his successful run. Featured photo credit: WST