How Judd Trump produced snooker's shot of century at German Masters in 2021 – 'Probably the hardest ever'
By Desmond Kane
Published 26/01/2025 at 21:59 GMT
React to this story
Judd Trump is famous for some gravity-defying shots with his technical ability to generate spin on the cue ball a key asset in his ongoing success story across the globe. The three-time defending German Masters champion produced arguably the shot of century with a miraculous green in a 6-5 win over Barry Hawkins in the 2021 semi-finals. "I don't think I've ever played a better shot," said Trump.
Watch the best of Trump in 2024
Video credit: TNT Sports
"It's a tough shot. I went to practice it after, and I had two attempts and I gave up," said Judd Trump, speaking to Eurosport about his miraculous shot of the century at the 2021 German Masters.
The undisputed world No. 1 will begin his quest for a record fourth title at the elite event in Berlin on Monday night – live on Eurosport and discovery+ – buoyed by the fourth anniversary of his stunning effort.
It was on Saturday, 30 January 2021, when the 2019 world champion executed an audacious pot on the green from distance at pace that looked impossible to execute from every angle.
Losing 5-1 to Barry Hawkins in the semi-finals, Trump walloped the object ball into its pocket with exaggerated topspin from a tough spot on a side cushion and watched the white miraculously come to an abrupt halt via the baulk cushion to land perfectly on the brown.
Trump rolled in 131 before adding two more centuries in reeling off the final five frames in a remarkable comeback triumph.
Due to the pandemic, the tournament was staged behind closed doors in Milton Keynes rather than its traditional home at the Tempodrom, but at least the Eurosport cameras were on hand to capture a unique slice of snooker folklore that earned shot of the season.
It was arguably the shot of the millennium.
Trump claimed back-to-back German Masters crowns in 2021 with a 9-2 final win over close friend Jack Lisowski after his great escape against Hawkins, who he defeated last month 10-8 in the UK final.
"To be honest, I don't think I've ever played a better shot," said Trump.
/origin-imgresizer.tntsports.io/2023/02/01/3539850-72144168-2560-1440.jpg)
‘It’s an incredible shot’ - White attempts Trump’s 'stonker’ of a pot
Video credit: TNT Sports
"The shots against Ding [Junhui in the quarter-finals a day earlier] and John Higgins [2019 Northern Ireland Open semi-final] were amazing, but that shot really is once in a lifetime, to stop the white like I did.
"You are kind of hoping that will happen, but you don't truly believe it. But when I hit it, Barry has cracked up.
"Even shots like that give me the belief when I sit down. I could have just rolled the green and missed it.
"The belief that gives you, I truly believed I could win the game at 5-2 down from that one shot."
- German Masters 2025: Latest scores, results and schedule as Trump, Wilson, Murphy go for title
- German Snooker Masters 2025: How to watch? Who's playing? What's the schedule?
- O'Sullivan pulls out of German Masters due to 'medical reasons'
Lisowksi, who meets Alexander Ursenbacher on Tuesday afternoon in his opener, has tried to recreate the Trump effort watched by Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion.
"It is probably the hardest shot anyone has ever done," said Lisowski on WST. "The way the white is on the cushion as well, and he's 5-1 down against Barry Hawkins in a first to six.
"I asked him after, and he said this kind of inspired him. I wanted to play Barry, no disrespect to Barry, but he was killing everyone."
Doherty described the shot as "iconic" and "one of the most difficult you could ever wish to play".
Trump begins his latest German Masters title campaign against world No. 67 David Grace at 19:00 UK time on Monday night.
"It was an instinctive shot," said Trump. "To be honest, I think it won me the tournament and that shot just inspired me. I sat down and literally thought, 'I'm going to win it at 5-2 down'. I was so excited.
"Those kinds of things give you a bit of momentum, you sit down in your chair, and you feel so good about yourself."
Stream top snooker action, including the German Masters on discovery+
Related Topics
Advertisement
Advertisement