Judd Trump's proud 11-year title-winning record under threat after snooker cue crisis continues in defeat to Mark Selby at Champion of Champions
By Desmond Kane
Updated 17/11/2025 at 11:31 GMT
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Judd Trump could change snooker cues after struggling badly during his 10-5 final to defeat to Mark Selby at the Champion of Champions in Leicester on Sunday. "I couldn't win with that cue," said the world No. 1. "I gave it my all today, but I just can't get used to it, I didn't know where to aim." Trump opted to wheel out a new cue at the English Open in September amid a rare title drought.
'I am 99% off' - Trump unhappy with form
Video credit: TNT Sports
Judd Trump is set to change his snooker cue after again lamenting the condition of his game during a 10-5 defeat to Mark Selby in the final of the Champion of Champions in Leicester on Sunday.
Despite opening the final with two superb centuries to lead 3-1, the world No. 1 could only win two of the last 11 frames after being largely outplayed by the four-time world champion, who produced four centuries of his own in securing the title for the first time in his home city.
Trump was scathing about his performance, lamenting the cue that he felt made it impossible to compete with Selby in the title match.
"The cue is still new and two months old," he said on ITV before his tournament opener at the Champion of Champions, an event he won in 2021.
"If I don’t win this week or next, then I’ll change."
Trump defeated Bai Yulu (4-1), Lei Peifan (6-2) and world champion Zhao Xintong (6-2) despite feeling he was only performing at "10%" in reaching the final, but came up well short against Selby after shipping the final five frames.
He also contested the final of the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast last month, only being denied a record-extending fifth victory at the event in a 9-8 final-frame defeat to close friend Jack Lisowski.
Trump last failed to win a major event in a calendar year back in 2013, with the 2019 world champion having lifted a trophy in every season since 2010/11, when he enjoyed his first major win with a 10-8 victory over Selby in the China Open final.
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Trump struggling to 'build confidence' due to 'extremely poor conditions'
Video credit: TNT Sports
But that proud 11-year title-running sequence, which saw him win an unprecedented six trophies in 2020, is under threat, with time and tournaments running out to extend his record.
He faces Mark Williams on Thursday night at the Riyadh Season Championship in Saudi Arabia, live on TNT Sports and discovery+, before defending his UK Championship, scene of his last trophy success 11 months ago, in his final competitive appearances of 2025.
Trump has not entered the Shoot Out in Blackpool, an event he has not competed in since 2016, or the Scottish Open in Edinburgh, the last ranking competition of the year.
Trump opted to change cues before the English Open in Brentwood in September in an attempt to combat heavier table conditions on a more consistent basis.
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"I needed some more power," he said on TNT Sports. "I’ve had this cue for a couple of weeks, so I’ll try it and see what happens.
"I’m not one to mess around with cues, as soon as I get a good one, I stick with it for as long as possible."
Meanwhile, Selby has extended a remarkable sequence of wins on the main circuit with his victory over Trump in the final of the invitational event.
Since Selby lost 10-8 to John Higgins in the final of the Tour Championship in April, no player has won twice on the World Snooker Tour.
"This event is only for the best players, and it was a privilege to play Judd in the final," said Selby after clasping the trophy and £150,000 first prize.
"I played well from start to finish, and I knew I had to because Judd is the man to beat.
"I have felt good about my game for the last few days, I have found something and I know I have to stick with it.
"It's a while since I have felt like that, so it was great to play to that standard in a big final."
Snooker's last 12 major tournament winners
- Tour Championship: John Higgins (Sco) 10–8 Mark Selby (Eng) - April 2025
- World Championship: Zhao Xintong (Chn) 18–12 Mark Williams (Wal) - May 2025
- Championship League: Stephen Maguire (Sco) 3–1 Joe O'Connor (Eng) - July 2025
- Shanghai Masters: Kyren Wilson (Eng) 11–9 Ali Carter (Eng) - August 2025
- Saudi Arabia Masters: Neil Robertson (Aus) 10–9 Ronnie O'Sullivan (Eng) - August 2025
- Wuhan Open: Xiao Guodong (Chn) 10–9 Gary Wilson (Eng) - August 2025
- English Open: Mark Allen (NI) 9–8 Zhou Yuelong (Chn) - September 2025
- British Open: Shaun Murphy (Eng) 10–7 Anthony McGill (Sco) - September 2025
- Xi'an Grand Prix: Mark Williams (Wal) 10–3 Shaun Murphy (Eng) - October 2025
- Northern Ireland Open: Jack Lisowski (Eng) 9–8 Judd Trump (Eng) - October 2025
- International Championship: Wu Yize (Chn) 10-6 John Higgins (Sco) - November 2025
- Champion of Champions: Mark Selby (Eng) 10-5 Judd Trump (Eng) - November 2025
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Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
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