‘I’d be worried’ – Stephen Hendry sounds alarm over snooker star’s dismal 2025 form

‘I’d be worried’ – Stephen Hendry sounds alarm over snooker star’s dismal 2025 form

 

 

 

A warning shot has been fired. Legendary snooker figure Stephen Hendry believes that one of the sport’s brightest talents should be “worried” about his alarming dip in form during the 2025/26 season — and few are better qualified to offer hard truths.

Trump’s tumble from top billing

The target of Hendry’s caution is Judd Trump, currently the world number one. Once a near-unstoppable force on the circuit, Trump has yet to make a quarter-final in a ranking event this season — a glaring contrast to the dominance he displayed in 2024/25, when he lifted titles at the Saudi Arabia Masters, the Shanghai Masters, and the UK Championship.

On the Snooker Club podcast, Hendry minced no words:

> “If I was Judd … I’d be worried because he’s not won a tournament in the calendar year … He’s world number one and been so used to being an absolute serial winner … If I was him, I’d be worried.”

Though he stopped short of accusing Trump of panic, Hendry struck a distinctly urgent tone. He pointed out that a sustained losing streak could erode the aura of invincibility Trump has built — giving rivals psychological openings they may not otherwise get.

The danger of decline

Hendry’s central concern is not just isolated losses, but the broader implications. Once a player begins faltering, confidence can unravel quickly. He warned that the pressure compounds with each event:

“It just puts more pressure on the next event and the next event … you can’t really stay still, you’ll go backwards because there’s so many more players there to take it off you.”

One of the most striking observations from Hendry: when a top player starts losing, others stop being as intimidated. The fear that once preceded facing Trump could start to fade — and in a sport of margins, that shift in dynamics can be critical.

Still, confidence in a turnaround

Hendry wasn’t ready to write Trump off. He underscored that the problems are not irreparable. What’s needed, he said, is a string of convincing victories — matches where Trump doesn’t merely survive, but dominates. That, he believes, could reset the mental balance.

As of now, Trump heads into the Northern Ireland Open, where he faces Anthony McGill, looking to arrest his slump.

Broader implications for the sport

Hendry’s critique is more than personal; it’s thematic. The sport’s top tier is deeper than ever. If a player of Trump’s caliber can struggle, it speaks to the rising standards and mental demands. Confidence, tone, momentum — in snooker, they often matter as much as potting prowess.

In short: for Judd Trump, 2025 is proving to be a stern test. And Stephen Hendry, with his track record and authority, is sounding the alarm — not to cast judgement, but to mark how quickly the mountain can shift beneath even the highest peaks.