World Snooker Championship 2022: Judd Trump wants to 'refind' love for sport

Judd Trump wants to rediscover his love for snooker, a sport he believes has taken a backward step.

Trump has had a mediocre season, winning one ranking event and another invitational.

The UK has lacked quality and not had the same prestige as China, he said.

The World Snooker Tour did not agree with Judd's comments.

After winning the World Championship, Englishman Trump hit a rich vein of form and won 11 ranking titles over the next two seasons.

The campaign has been less successful, with his only success coming at the Turkish Masters.

Trump said nothing this year when asked how he was feeling heading into the showpiece. I don't expect much from this tournament because I haven't played as well as I can.

It is a bit different and just another event. It is a good season for any other player. I have not enjoyed my snooker as much as I would have liked.

After playing so many games over the last couple of years, it has taken it out of me.

'Venues have been disappointing'

Snooker was one of the first sports to return after the shutdown at the height of the coronaviruses, and the whole of last season was played in a bubble environment at the Marshall Arena.

Three events were staged overseas this season, but the sport is yet to return to lucrative tournaments in the Far East.

The quality of the tournaments has not been good. The China events have been smaller and not had the same prestige as the other events. It doesn't feel special.

Some of the venues have been bad. The World Championship is good, the Masters is good, but other than that it has been disappointing.

In response, the WST said that they always strive to provide quality venues and conditions for the players, and that they have had packed crowds at all tournaments.

We are adding new tournaments and expanding our tour. We explore every avenue in the current global conditions.

It is frustrating that we cannot stage events in China at the moment. We have lines of communication with China and we will be back as soon as possible.

Despite the incredibly difficult time the world has faced, snooker is one of the few sports which has continued to grow.

'Crucible is special but things can change'

The World Championship takes place at the 980-capacity Crucible Theatre for the 45th year, but the nature of the venue means it struggles to update and add features.

The Masters is held at London's Alexandra Palace, which has over 2,000 spectators. A number of players said this year was the best they had ever experienced.

The World Championship could be played elsewhere one year, according to Trump, who plays Iranian debutant Vafaei in the first round.

It's difficult to get that in the Crucible and it can be better. The one-table set-up is special but the two-table set-up is cramped.

I would prefer to play in front of more people. The more people there are, the better the atmosphere. This one has been overtaken by the Masters. You feel more alive if you have more people in your life.

The Masters is special because you can relax, be yourself and get involved with the game.

This event is always going to be special but I am not as excited as I used to be.

Trump suggested that he might need to take a break to get back into the swing of things.

It doesn't look like the game is on an upward spiral and for me it will be better to step away and get my head right.

I need to take a break after this tournament.

You can follow snooker news on the app.