Judd Trump on why 147s are now 'more special than tournament wins' after players hit maximums at Xi'an Grand Prix - 'You feel like a kid'
Published 07/10/2025 at 14:18 GMT+1
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Judd Trump made his ninth maximum break in a 5-2 victory over Ng On Yee at the Xi'an Grand Prix on Tuesday. The world No. 1 spoke afterwards about why he thinks there have been more 147 breaks this season than in the past. Trump's 147 was the 12th of the campaign, and was soon followed by the 13th from Aaron Hill, with last season having a record 15 maximum breaks.
Watch in full: Trump hits brilliant 147 against Ng
Video credit: TNT Sports
Judd Trump says he expects 147 maximum breaks to become more common in snooker as they are now "more special than tournament wins".
Trump made the ninth maximum of his career in a 5-2 victory over Ng On Yee at the Xi'an Grand Prix.
It was Trump’s first 147 break since 2022, but already the 12th of the 2025/26 season, which runs until next May. Trump's 147 was soon followed by the 13th maximum of the season from Aaron Hill.
Last season featured a record 15 maximum breaks while the previous two both had 13. The three years before that had not seen the total hit double digits.
Asked what he makes of the rise in the number of maximum breaks this season, Trump explained why he thinks it’s the "new normal".
"Players are more relaxed, they don’t really care about if they win the frame, they would rather try to make a maximum and mess up on 50 or 60 and lose the frame," Trump said.
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'Must be my turn' - Trump on being the latest player to hit a 147 this season
Video credit: TNT Sports
"Maybe the mentality is different, less inclined to just pick the balls off and win the frame, from the first ball you are going for a 147.
"The more you keep seeing people do it the more you feel a bit left out if you are not going to go for it yourself.
| World No. 1 Judd Trump is the 10th player to make a maximum this season after Gary Wilson, Ali Carter, Aaron Hill, Zhou Yuelong, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh, Ronnie O’Sullivan, Xiao Guodong, Zhang Anda and Fan Zhengyi. Trump is seeking his first title win of the campaign, having lost a deciding frame in his previous three tournaments. |
"I don’t feel like the pockets are that much bigger or anything is different, I feel like the tables are playing quite tough this season and quite heavy, so it’s a bit surprising everyone is making them.
"I think the standard of play has improved and it goes to show because there’s not much difference but everyone seems to want to make maximums now."
This season’s total has been helped by two maximums in one match from Ronnie O’Sullivan at the Saudi Arabia Masters. Thepchaiya Un-Nooh has also made two 147 breaks this season, while Hill joined the club with his second maximum of the campaign in Xi'an.
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"I think they are more special than tournament wins," Trump added.
"I’ve had a lot more tournament wins than maximums. The feeling when I play snooker, I don’t get that nervous any more, but there’s always a different buzz when you are on for a 147.
"You are always smiling as you walk off. It’s the one thing you can still do on a snooker table that makes you feel like a kid.
"No matter what happens, the feeling you get as a snooker player. It’s nice to win events but making a 147 is probably more special than anything."
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The maximums from Trump and Hill means they are likely, as things stand, to share the £5,000 high break prize.
Other events have far bigger prizes on offer for a 147, and Trump said: "Hopefully I can do it when there’s more money on the line next time."
World No. 1 Trump is aiming to win his first title of the season at the Xi’an Grand Prix.
He says he has been satisfied with his level of play, having lost deciding frames in his previous three tournaments.
"I don’t feel like I’ve been that far off. I have had seasons like this in the past where I felt like I’ve played well and it just takes the odd shot here and there.
"I’ve lost three deciders in the last three events. Last season I was winning the deciders and winning the tournaments, so it’s very fine margins.
"If this happens the whole year I will be disappointed but at the moment I’m still very happy."
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