January 25th 2025.
Next week, Judd Trump will be headed to Berlin to defend his title at the German Masters. As a three-time champion of this prestigious event, Trump has nothing but praise for the unique atmosphere and lively German crowd at the Tempodrom arena. In fact, he believes it ranks right up there with other top events on the snooker calendar such as the Crucible and Alexandra Palace.
When asked about the energy and passion of the Berlin crowd, Trump couldn't help but compare it to the electric atmosphere of the Masters. "Berlin is probably third place in terms of crowd interaction and how good the crowds are," he shared with Metro. "Especially on that final weekend when the fans are so passionate. The energy and noise are on par with the Masters, which is really saying something."
Last year, Trump emerged victorious in the Berlin final against Si Jiahui, solidifying his love for the annual trip to Germany. However, he believes that the event should have even more prominence on the snooker calendar, considering the incredible experience it offers to players. While the prize money has been increased this year, Trump feels that the German Masters should be above events like the Home Nations and the English Open in terms of stature.
"I'd like to have seen it grow somehow," he expressed. "I think the tournament deserves to be bigger than it is. Germany should be right behind the UK Championship in terms of prestige. But unfortunately, it hasn't really gone anywhere and has stagnated a little bit. The crowd over there truly deserves a bigger and more prestigious event."
Despite his disappointment with the event's status, Trump is having a fantastic season so far. He has made big changes to his lifestyle, splitting his time between Dubai and Hong Kong, with his girlfriend Maisy Ma, a well-known figure skater from Hong Kong. Trump's new glamorous lifestyle has made him even more dangerous on the table, as he has secured big wins at the UK Championship, Saudi Arabia Masters, and Shanghai Masters.
Speaking about his new living arrangements, Trump shared, "My practice tables are getting taken out next week so it's pretty permanent now. My main base will be in Dubai, but I also have residence in Hong Kong where my girlfriend lives. It's different from what I'm used to, but there are more opportunities to do different things. It's a more outdoorsy lifestyle, which is a nice change from the miserable weather back home."
Trump's girlfriend understands the demands of his globe-trotting lifestyle and the public eye, as she also works in television. "It's a good balance because she knows what I'm going through," he said. "I think that helps a lot."
With all the success he's been having, Trump admits that it's easier to be happy and relaxed on and off the table. "When you're winning, it's a lot easier to be happy," he shared. "You're not dreading going to venues because you know you have a good chance of winning. And where I'm living now, it's easier to accept defeat. I'm in a good place mentally, and it definitely helps me play my best and be more relaxed on the table."
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