JUDD TRUMP has defended Luca Brecel – after the Belgian Bullet was accused of lacking dedication by Stephen Hendry.
Brecel, 30, became world champion in 2023 but has frustrated Hendry with his jet-setting lifestyle.
Judd Trump has defended Luca Brecel’s approach to snooker[/caption]
Stephen Hendry had previously questioned the Belgian Bullet’s commitment to the game[/caption]
Brecel has previously dubbed himself the ‘Ronaldinho of snooker’[/caption]
Brecel took a private jet home immediately after his first-round match with Ryan Day at the Crucible.
And he was almost late returning to Sheffield, only making it on time thanks to a late intervention from Arsenal superstar Leandro Trossard.
Brecel has previously dubbed himself the “Ronaldinho of snooker”.
Explaining his approach, he said: “It’s all about just entertaining and fun and also having a nice life around it.”
But six-time Crucible champion Henry slammed the “frustrating” star in a rant prior to the World Championships.
Hendry called out Brecel for lacking motivation and wasting his talent on the baize.
The Scot said: “I honestly don’t know what he’s doing with his career.
“I haven’t got a clue. I see him a lot on Instagram, he’s riding his bike all over the place.
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“He’s going out to dinners with his girlfriend, he seems to be having a lovely time.“
Hendry went on to say he “cannot buy into what [Brecel is] doing” and called him out over “constant flights to Mallorca”.
Brecel is currently facing off with World No1 Trump for a place in the World Championship semi-finals.
The Ace in the Pack leapt to the Belgian’s defence after Hendry’s comments.
Trump, the 2019 champion, said: “When I was 21 and came here, I thought the same as [Brecel].
“I didn’t care, just go out and play snooker.
“I’ve seen a lot of comments saying that if he dedicated himself more, he’d be unbelievable, but he wouldn’t because of how carefree he is.
“He’s very happy with his life, I don’t think anyone can judge someone that’s happy off the table, I think that’s the most important thing.
“I’d like to see Luca keep that style of play up because even in the worst case, I was to lose, it’s nice to watch in the final.
“It’s good for snooker to have these different personalities.”
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Hendry was full of praise for Brecel’s exploits on the table after two rounds in Sheffield.
And he appeared to perform a U-turn as he praised the former champ for being an “absolute genius”.
Hendry told the BBC: “He’s just an inspirational player.
“When he gets that inspiration, when he gets that buzz from snooker, you can’t stop watching him. He’s just brilliant.
“He’s approaching the game in a way that no other player has, and still winning.
“I mean, if someone had told you back in the day that there’s going to be a player that comes on the scene later on and is going to approach it the way he does – and he’s still going to win the Worlds by the way – you’d have said no chance.”