'I didn't know where to aim' - Judd Trump cue struggles continue with loss to Selby in Champion of Champions final

Judd Trump has been struggling to get to grips with his cue in recent weeks, and those issues came to the fore at the Champion of Champions event. Mark Selby was the man celebrating after winning the title for the first time. It is back to the drawing board for world No.1. Trump, who was keen not to use the cue as an excuse for the defeat though, congratulating Selby for his fine performance.

Wu lifts International Championship trophy - 'Going to need a well supported mantelpiece'

Video credit: TNT Sports

Judd Trump suggested it could be the end of the road for his new cue after losing the Champion of Champions final to Mark Selby.

The world No. 1 was convincingly beaten 10-5 by Selby, who claimed a memorable victory in his home city of Leicester.

Ultimately, Selby prevailed thanks to fine safety play and heavy scoring to land the top prize of £150,000.

Champion of Champions

Trump's proud title record under threat as cue crisis continues at Champion of Champions

11 hours ago

Trump was left to rue what might have been, in what was his latest disappointment after losing to Jack Lisowski in the Northern Ireland Open final last month.

Trump put a new cue in play earlier in the season and told TNT Sports that the change was a long-term project.

However, he said during the Champion of Champions that the cue would be jettisoned if he failed to secure victory in Leicester or at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship next week.

Time would appear to be ticking down, as Trump cut a dejected figure after his loss to Selby.

Speaking on ITV, he said: "I couldn't win with that cue.

"I gave it my all today, but I just can't get used to it, I didn't know where to aim. There are no excuses and congratulations to Mark because he was the best player all week and deserved to win.

"He scored very heavily, his safety was good, and he showed why he is one of the all-time greats."

Trump also addressed his cue issues after a superb 6-2 comeback win over Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals.

He admitted to being "probably at 10%" after the victory, before elaborating on the issues with his cue.

"I'm not at 100%, I'm probably at about 10%, so happy to make a final like this when I'm not at my best," Trump said. "After the start, I didn't really miss much.

"I don't feel as fluent. I know at my best, nine times out of 10, I'm going to win, but it is about doing it when you are not at your best."

When addressing the cue problems in more detail, he continued: "Changing from brass to titanium [ferrule], the ball does not throw whatsoever on this cue, so I'm really struggling.

"The tables are so heavy when we play in China, and even here and across the world now. When I first started as a professional 15 years ago, 20 years ago, the tables were unbelievable.

"There were only two games a day, you were straight into the last 32. Now you've got five or six games a day. The tables are so heavy that when I get down to aiming, the side doesn't react the same, so I want to be able to hit the same place everywhere around the world.

"At the moment, I'm brilliant in good conditions, but terrible in bad conditions.

"Just when I think I'm getting going, and I'm revving up, then I slam the brakes on. I'm just waiting to win three or four frames, and he leaves me a long one. Then I pot that, then I feel like I'm off on a roll. But until then, it's kind of hard work."

Selby waxed lyrical about Trump's qualities after winning his first title since emerging victorious at the Welsh Open in February.

"This event is only for the best players and it was a privilege to play Judd in the final," said Selby.

"I played well from start to finish and I knew I had to because Judd is the man to beat.

"I have felt good about my game for the last few days, I have found something and I know I have to stick with it. It's a while since I have felt like that so it was great to play to that standard in a big final."

- - -

Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the UK Championship, live on TNT Sports and discovery+

Champion of Champions