Judd Trump claims snooker stars should fear him ahead of Crucible opener against Rory McLeod
The Juddernaught is in the form of his life and claims Ronnie O'Sullivan is losing his consistency
JUDD TRUMP insists it is finally his time at the Crucible.
The Juddernaut, 27, arrives at the World Championships in the form of his life after a best ever season.
He watched on last night as celebrations saw former champions from 40 years at the venue paraded on a green carpet and hailed in the arena.
And Trump, who coined the term ‘naughty snooker’ for his attacking style, wants to go one better than the 2011 final he lost to John Higgins.
He said: “It is about time I won it. It was a close call when I lost to John.
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“But I feel now as if it is my time to step up to the plate.
“I am coming into my prime and probably the most confident I have ever been coming in to tournaments.
Even when I don’t play my absolute best I feel I have a chance of winning events due to the things I have added.
“There is just a consistency there and when I lose, as you will with so many tournaments in a season, it is usually because someone played out of their skin to beat me.
“Most of the time I have been knowing I would play well rather than hoping and it gives you real confidence.
“I have done a lot of work on my concentration.
“It is nice to see other players saying I am the man to beat at tournaments.
“It can add pressure, but if people are saying it, others are hearing it and it will scare some opponents.
“I am not worried about anyone, I am playing my own game. Most of this is down to winning matches and winning titles, it breeds success.”
Trump is ahead of long-time rival and former idol Ronnie O’Sullivan in the betting.
And the left-hander believes the Rocket has lacked not only consistency this season, but also his fear factor.
Trump said: “Ronnie has reached the age where his consistency is going to go.
“He will probably win the same number if he plays in ten or 20 events.
“He has been playing in more of the smaller events.
“Maybe he doesn’t take them as seriously and isn’t as feared.
“If he only played in the worlds, the UK and the Masters he would have more of that aura as the main man.
“But people are seeing more of him and he has lost that consistency.
“On his day he is as good as ever, but overall he has lost maybe 10 or 15 per cent and that will make a difference.”
Trump has been draw against pedestrian potter Rory McLeod in the first round.
On McLeod’s last visit to the Crucible, opponent Ricky Walden compared the experience to “a trip to the dentist”.
But Trump is all set to visit the chair. He added: “I usually play OK against him.”
Jimmy White and Ken Doherty have been handed tour wild cards.
Six-time Crucible runner-up White, 54, and 1997 champion Doherty, 47, faced uncertain futures after falling down the rankings.