Judd Trump calls for German Masters changes ahead of bid for fourth title

01/25/2025 09:50 AM

Judd Trump has hailed the German Masters as a top three event on the calendar, calling for the tournament to increase in stature to match its reputation.

The ranking event at the Tempodrom in Berlin is one of the highlights of the snooker season, played in the unique arena in front of a lively German crowd.

Trump is a three-time German Masters champion and will be in Berlin next week looking to defend his title in an event he looks forward to more than most.

In fact, the world number one rates the atmosphere as close to the likes of the Crucible and Alexandra Palace.

‘Berlin is probably third place in terms of the crowd interaction and how good the crowds are, especially when you get to that final weekend and how passionate they are,’ Trump told Metro.

‘The crowds in Berlin and the noise when you come into the final is very close to, or on a par with, the Masters.

‘I think those two are out there on their own in terms of how good you feel when you play on the final weekend.’

Trump is a big fan of his annual trip to Germany, but would like to see the event having even more prominence on the calendar given how highly he rates the experience of playing in Berlin.

Players tend to judge how big events are based on prize money and there has been a boost to the prize fund at the German Masters this year, with the winner leaving with £100,000, up from last year’s £80,000.

However, that leaves the event level with the Home Nations and Trump thinks it deserves to be much bigger than the likes of the English Open in Brentwood.

‘I’d like to have seen it grow somehow,’ he said. ‘I think the tournament deserves to be bigger than it is.

‘I don’t think it should be on a par with some of the other events like the Home Nations, although Northern Ireland is the exception.

‘I think Germany should be up there, just behind the UK [Championship], but it’s not really gone anywhere, it’s stagnated a little bit. There should be a few changes to make a bit bigger than it is because the crowd over there deserve it.

‘It’s a little bit disappointing because I feel like they could even hold the Tour Championship or something over there. The crowd deserve something bigger. Its excellent to have a tournament there, but the fans deserve a bigger, more prestigious event.’

Trump himself has made big changes to his life this season, leaving his Bristol base to split most of his time between Dubai and Hong Kong.

‘My practice tables are getting taken out next week so it’s pretty permanent now,’ he said. ‘My main base will be in Dubai but my girlfriend lives in Hong Kong. I have residence in both Dubai and Hong Kong so I’ll be split between them depending where the tournaments are.

‘It’s very different, completely different from what I’m used to. I’m used to my old life of just going to practice and then sitting at home all night, every day.

‘Now there’s a lot more opportunities to do different things. It’s a more outdoorsy lifestyle, living in those different places, a lot more time after snooker to spend in the sun, or go to the beach or whatever. It’s a bit better and more inspiring than being in the miserable weather for months.’

Trump’s girlfriend is well-known figure skater from Hong Kong Maisy Ma, who he says is understanding of his globe-trotting lifestyle in the public eye.

‘She’s used to being in the limelight herself, she still does TV work,’ he said. ‘It’s a good balance because she knows what I’m going through, I think that helps as well.’

The world number one is having another great season, with big wins at the UK Championship, Saudi Arabia Masters and Shanghai Masters, while he is enjoying his more glamorous lifestyle, making him even more dangerous on the table.

‘When you’re winning it’s a lot easier to be happy,’ he said. ‘When you’re travelling around and you fancy your chances of winning every event, you’re not dreading going to venues. It definitely helps.

‘Where I’m living as well, it makes it easier to accept defeat. It’s easier to travel back to that. You’re in a bit of a bubble for the first few years when you make changes in your life or new things happen, you’re a lot happier when you lose to go home.

‘It couldn’t be going much better and it helps on the table because I’m trying my best but it’s not the end of the world if I do lose. I think that helps me play my best and be more relaxed when I’m out there.’