Judd Trump faces disciplinary action after snubbing media duties following shock World Championship defeat

The world number two crashed out 10-8 against rank outsider McLeod in one of the most surprising results in Crucible history

Thursday 20 April 2017 02:54 EDT
Comments
Judd Trump refused to speak to the press following his first round exit at the Crucible
Judd Trump refused to speak to the press following his first round exit at the Crucible (Getty)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Judd Trump is in disciplinary hot water after suffering a shock first-round exit at the Betfred World Championship in Sheffield.

The world number two crashed out 10-8 against rank outsider Rory McLeod in one of the most surprising results in Crucible history.

Defeat for Trump was the first time he had failed to make the second round at the sport's showpiece in seven years and the loss clearly hurt as he declined media interviews, for which he could be fined by World Snooker.

McLeod, priced at 1,000/1 to win the title by some bookmakers at the start of the competition, was delighted to cause an upset again the joint-tournament favourite.

"It's my best win of my career," he said. "To beat Judd Trump on centre stage is brilliant. I've always known I'm capable, it's actually doing it.

"We can all say, 'Yeah I'm brilliant and I can do it', but it's actually producing when you need to. I've done it today."

McLeod, 46, was made to wait for his moment of glory as, at 9-7 up, the match was halted on Wednesday afternoon due to a scheduling conflict and then completed in a third session during the evening.

The delay resulted in an agonising few hours for the world number 54.

"I was sweating, my mind was going all around trying to work out scenarios of how I'm going to do it," he added. "It just doesn't work, you've got to try and quieten your mind. It's a headache. Judd's quite capable of pinching three frames in a row."

There were rumours during the match that 2011 runner-up Trump was suffering with a possible shoulder problem.

The 27-year-old from Bristol was regularly seen grimacing during the afternoon session, however McLeod was keen to focus on his triumph rather than any issue for his opponent.


Trump is out after losing to McLeod in the first round 

 Trump is out after losing to McLeod in the first round 
 (Getty)

"When he was 4-0 up, he didn't look injured to me," said McLeod, who will face Stephen Maguire in the next round.

"He was potting balls from everywhere. What can I do? I've got to deal with holding myself together. Being the oldest player left in the tournament, 46, do we have our aches and pains? Well, maybe we do. You've got to look after yourself, ain't you?"

PA

"You've got to look after yourself, ain't you?"

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in