tournaments,” said Selby. “It’s not easy to do but that’s my goal—and if I pick up some other tournaments along the way, fantastic.”
A Rediscovery of Form?
With a 10th overall title under his belt, Selby’s performance was reminiscent of his dominance between 2012 and 2017. This period saw him top the rankings and win two UK crowns, one Masters title, and three Crucible titles. However, more recently, he has faced personal struggles away from snooker.
“For a while, I wasn’t enjoying it.
I was performing poorly and not enjoying the challenge,” explained Selby. “Winning breeds confidence. The last two tournaments I have won I have played Judd, who is an unbelievable player.”
A Question Mark for Trump
For Judd Trump, this loss marked his third defeat in a final of the season, following losses to Jack Lisowski at the Northern Ireland Open and Mark Selby at the Champion of Champions. With no silverware to show for 2025, Trump has openly discussed needing to change his cue and regroup.
“It’s been a struggle really. The whole tournament I didn’t play great and Mark was much the better player,” admitted Trump. “I’ll go away now, regroup and put in the practice, and look forward to the rest of the season.”
While Selby will be installed as the favorite for the upcoming Masters, questions remain around Trump’s form heading into key events.
His brother’s visa issues have impacted his training regime, adding another layer of complexity to his preparations.
The UK Championship has once again showcased the high standards and intense competition in snooker. As players prepare for the next phase of their careers, the stage is set for more thrilling contests and remarkable performances across the sport.
