SHAUN MURPHY has warned Judd Trump he is after his world No.1 position this season.
Trump’s status at the top of the world snooker rankings, which he has held since August 2024, is under threat and he could slip down within the next few months.
Shaun Murphy has sent a warning to World No1 Judd Trump Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
Trump’s position at the summit of snooker rankings is in danger this year Credit: PA
This is because the Juddernaut, 36, is going to see £500,000 come off his ranking, the cash he won two years ago for the now-defunct Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Zhao Xintong, the 2025 world champion, is poised to become China’s second world No1, after Ding Junhui, following the conclusion of next month’s China Open and Wuhan Open.
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World No2 Neil Robertson, 44, is also in contention, having had an excellent 2025-26 campaign.
But Murphy – narrowly beaten 18-17 in the worlds final in May by 22-year-old Wu Yize – is eyeing up top spot for the first time.
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And the world No6 would accomplish that if he won the next two ranking events in China, which would mean £425,000 in total prize money.
The Magician, 43, told the WST’s Snooker Club podcast: “I’ve never ever made it to the top of the rankings.
“It’s within reach for a few of us. I feel like Judd has come back to the pack a little bit. It’s just the way the numbers work.
“There’s a little bit of daylight there now. We’ve all got a bit of hope at the end of the tunnel that he’s catchable.
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Neil Robertson is also in the hunt to become World No1 Credit: PA
“But we’re going to have to go some way to catch him.
“Someone’s going to have to win a lot of tournaments and win a lot of matches to catch him. And I’m going to try, hopefully, for that person to be me.
“It’s possible that this time next year I could be sat here as the world number one. It’s definitely one of my goals. It’s on my list.
“I’m going old school Rocky-mode. I will be in my snooker room every day.
“Whilst everyone else is trying to do quality over quantity, I’m trying to do both. I’m trying to do some really good practice but loads of it.”
Murphy was one frame away from lifting a second world title at the Crucible, and the heartache of missing out still haunts him now.
It was while watching the women’s Wimbledon singles final – Czech ace Linda Noskova beat compatriot Karolina Muchova in three thrilling sets – that he received another reminder of the pain.
Murphy, who has lost in four world finals in total, said: “I don’t think you ever get over something like that. I don’t think I ever will.
Murphy lost to Wu Yize in a tense Crucible final earlier this year Credit: Getty
“It’s not the first world final I’ve lost in. I know how it works, but this one has hurt more than any of the others I have to say – to come so close.
“I don’t feel like I lost it. Wu Yize took the bull by the horns and won it. I don’t think you ever get over it.
“You do look at things from a much bigger perspective.
“Then the other day I was watching the ladies tennis final (at Wimbledon), the runner-up, and I broke into tears watching because I can just feel how she’s feeling.
“When you’ve walked a day in someone’s shoes, when you can really appreciate what someone’s going through, it can be quite painful – and it can get you at any stage.
“There are only seven players in snooker history who’ve been in a world final that’s gone to a deciding frame. Sport is cutthroat.
“Someone wins, someone loses. That’s why we love it. That’s why we’re addicted to sport.”
