Judd Trump has every right to wonder why some commentators question his standing in snooker. After losing 6-5 to John Higgins from 3-0 up in the Masters semi-finals at Alexandra Palace last month, seven-time world champion Stephen Hendry suggested Trump had again “flattered to deceive”.
Such comments must feel slightly baffling to the freewheeling Bristolian, who is within five ranking title wins of overtaking Hendry as the second most prolific champion in history.
Perhaps the world No. 1 is judged to a higher standard than others, which is in itself a compliment.
In dismantling Shuan Murphy 10-4 in the German Masters final before 2,500 fans at a teeming Tempodrom, Trump celebrated a record-extending fourth victory at an event he rates the third biggest in the sport behind only the World Championship and the Masters.
He could retire a self-made man tomorrow and be proud of his achievements in despatching balls for a living, having earned a whopping £9.8m and counting in prize money.
‘What a start to the final!’ – Trump claims 101 break in German Masters showdown with Murphy
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At the age of 36, Trump is only 10 behind Ronnie O’Sullivan’s record career haul of 41 ranking titles, and within potting distance of becoming the heaviest century maker in the modern era of professionalism.
O’Sullivan is on 1,313 with Trump fewer than 200 tons adrift on 1,131 ahead of this week’s World Grand Prix in Hong Kong, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Trump will be buoyant when he takes on Yuan Sijun in his opener at Kai Tak Arena on Wednesday morning at 11am GMT.
“It is incredible to win such a special event,” said Trump, who produced breaks of 101, 71, 68, 64, 62, 61 and 59 in claiming the Brandon Parker Trophy in the German capital, knocking off five of the final six frames against Murphy.
“Every time I come here I’m very happy to be here and have the chance to play in front of that crowd.
“There are such special memories walking out here for the final. Today was no different. I played a very solid game.”
‘It’s been a long wait’ – Trump cherishes return to winner’s circle at iconic venue
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Where Trump stands in the never-ending GOAT debate remains a matter of conjecture.
He will tell you he is more concerned about winning tournaments than leaving a legacy in the sport, but surely there must be a part of him that yearns for greater meaning on the grandest stage of them all.
He has the medals to suggest that the German Masters holds as much meaning in the sport as the UK Championship, having also won twice at the Barbican in York.
When Trump turned professional in 2005, the Triple Crown did not exist, but he has shoehorned 31 ranking titles, two Masters, the Champion of Champions and Shanghai Masters into a sweltering silver salver after winning the 2011 China Open with a 10-8 win over Mark Selby. The Saudi Arabia Masters has also been branded a major in recent years, but a lot of this comes down to personal opinion on what means most to certain players on any given Sunday. For instance, John Higgins described his win at the exclusive 12-man Tour Championship last April as the greatest achievement of his career after he recovered an 8-5 deficit to defeat Selby 10-8 in Manchester. 
Murphy pots ‘plant of the decade’ as he attempts to close gap on Trump
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What cannot be debated is the World Championship’s position as the biggest of the lot, the acid test over course and distance and the standard by which all the modern greats in the sport are measured.
In snooker, the long walk to glory continues to be earned at the Crucible in Sheffield, but there are several figures who will feel their career has been slightly undercooked if they declare on only one world title.
Trump (2019), Murphy (2005) and Neil Robertson (2010) are probably the three most gifted performers in the sport, whose remarkable ability makes you wonder why they have only triumphed once at Sheffield.
“Now is normally the time when I’m losing my form a little bit,” said Trump on World Snooker. “The last two or three months have been very good and consistent.
“Now I need to turn it up a notch. I hope that will give me the confidence to pick up some more big titles.”
Whether it is fair for such a unique generational talent, Trump will require more than one world title to justify his true value in a sport he sometimes towers over.
‘What a start to the final!’ – Trump claims 101 break in German Masters showdown with Murphy
Video credit: TNT Sports
Only nine men in history have won more than once in the Crucible era: Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, Steve Davis, Ray Reardon, Mark Selby, John Higgins, Mark Williams, John Spencer and Alex Higgins.
Trump would dearly love to become the 10th member of such an exclusive club, and he has time on his side to add to his solitary triumph in 2019 when he filleted four-time world champion John Higgins 18-9.
“He does not just overpower the opponent, he overpowers the snooker table,” said Higgins after witnessing his opponent produce seven centuries and eight breaks over 50 in the final.
The mindset of Novak Djokovic, the tennis GOAT in major terms, would perhaps be beneficial to Trump to adopt when it comes to the Crucible.
After losing to 2-6, 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 to Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Australian Open on Sunday, Djokovic, a huge fan of O’Sullivan’s attributes, revealed he was not overly despondent because he had not set himself up to fail in his quest for a record 25th Grand Slam victory.
“I lowered my expectations the last couple of years, which also, I think, allows me to be able to let go of some of that unnecessary additional stress,” said the Serbian.
“It’s always tension and stress and pressure, and I just don’t want to be overwhelmed by it.
“It also feels good a little bit not being always the main favourite to win Slams.
“I think that kind of gives you a little bit of that extra motivation, I guess, when it comes down to the last rounds of the Slam.”
Alcaraz hails ‘really inspiring’ Djokovic after winning Australian Open
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If Trump, who has also lost world finals to Higgins (2011) and O’Sullivan (2022), can transport his form in Berlin to Sheffield, then it it difficult to see who will stop him.
But snooker, like tennis, tends to be a matter of mind over matter as much as technical superiority.
Sometimes finding the stress of playing against history can be overwhelming, as Djokovic has suggested in his fresh approach to what has become a joust with his former self.
“Play as if it means nothing when it means everything,” is an oft-quoted line attributed to Steve Davis, snooker’s 1980s winning machine, from yesteryear that continues to hold up well today.
Whether he likes it or not, Trump suddenly finds himself in a battle against legacy as much as his opponents.
The threat from within is a real one, but the answer to such a dilemma also probably lies within.
Multiple Crucible winners7 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng), Stephen Hendry (Sco)6 – Steve Davis (Eng), Ray Reardon (Wal)4 – Mark Selby (Eng), John Higgins (Sco)3 – Mark Williams (Wal), John Spencer (Eng)2 – Alex Higgins (NI)
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