World Snooker Championship 2025: Stephen Hendry challenges Judd Trump to prove he is an all-time great – 'Needs another couple'

Stephen Hendry feels world No. 1 Judd Trump needs at least two more world titles before he can be regarded as a "true, true great" of the game. Trump has been drawn to face Zhou Yuelong in his tournament opener at the World Championship on Tuesday as he bids to become only the 10th multiple champion of the Crucible era. "You want to do it again and again," said seven-time world champion Hendry.

Stephen Hendry feels Judd Trump will not be regarded as an all-time great if he ends his career with a solitary World Championship.

Despite being the fourth most prolific ranking event winner in history with 30 titles so far, Trump has only claimed the sport's biggest prize once, when he defeated John Higgins 18-9 in the 2019 final.

The world No. 1 has also reached the final twice, losing to Higgins (18-15) in 2011 and Ronnie O'Sullivan (18-13) in 2022, but Hendry believes that return is underwhelming for his level of ability.

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Ahead of his opening match at this year's tournament against Zhou Yuelong, Hendry has challenged Trump to win more Crucible crowns to justify his status in the game.

"He could very well go on and win more tournaments than anyone has ever won. And he will be remembered for that," said Hendry on the World Snooker Tour podcast.

"But in my opinion, to be remembered as a true, true great, I think he needs to have at least another couple of world titles under his belt.

"To prove why he is so good. I always wanted to prove myself at the biggest tournaments, the World Championship and Masters and he's done it.

"But you want to do it again and again. If that's not his thing, it's not his thing. Everybody is different.

"I think Judd is just happy winning tournaments wherever they are.

"I don't think he's set his stall out to win four or five world titles."

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Video credit: TNT Sports

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Hendry, O'Sullivan, Steve Davis, Ray Reardon, Mark Selby, Higgins, Mark Williams, John Spencer and Alex Higgins are the only nine players who have become multiple winners at the Crucible since 1977.

Trump, who has won the Shanghai Masters, Saudi Arabia Masters and UK Championship this season, could become the 10th man to join the list, but Hendry does not feel it is a priority.

"I don't think Judd pays a lot of attention to it," said Hendry. "I think Judd wants to win them, but it is not the be-all and end-all.

"Steve and I and Ronnie were about winning major titles, but Judd's attitude is slightly different.

"There's no doubt there would be an asterisk next to his name if he wins 100 titles, but there's only one World Championship.

"But I don't think he'll give a monkey's about that. I think he just wants to win titles."

'He wants to win everything' - White on Trump's Welsh Open absence

Video credit: TNT Sports

Trump opted out of the Scottish and Welsh Opens after winning the UK title with a 10-8 final win over Barry Hawkins in December, but looked jaded in a 10-5 defeat to Hawkins in the quarter-finals of the Tour Championship earlier this month.

"I don’t think I’m going to play a lot of snooker in the next few months," said Trump at the UK Championship. "I would rather be at the peak of my form towards the end of the season. 

"Missing events like the Scottish and the Welsh is probably the best thing for me this season.

 "I’ve potentially got to the World Championship burned out in some seasons.

"The way my seasons have been the last couple of years, I’ve faded away at the end of the season.

"I don’t want that to happen again."

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