Judd Trump admits he is enjoying the unique pressure of playing in the World Cup after helping England book their place in the semi-finals of the competition on Saturday. The world number three has formed a formidable partnership with team-mate Barry Hawkins at this year’s tournament, as England eased their way through Group C, before overcoming Northern Ireland 4-3 in the quarter-finals.
England are now potentially just two matches away from being crowned world champions for the first time since 1989 and Trump says he is thriving under the pressure of competing at his first World Cup. “It’s a good tournament, I’m glad I came now. It’s a whole different pressure out there when you’re playing for someone else, playing for your country, and Barry [Hawkins, Trump’s England teammate] as well, you don’t want to let him down,” the 27-year-old said. “It was a great decision to put this tournament on and in future I’ll try to get back to the World Cup.”
Trump is also pleased with the support he has been receiving from the crowd at the Wuxi City Sports Park Stadium and says that he always feels at home when playing in China. “I feel relaxed here, I feel at home,” he added. “The support I get here really helps me and makes me want to come here.” “When you get so much support, here more even than back home, then I think it helps you and you just want to win that little bit more. I guess it spurs me on without me knowing it.”