It’s been a tough few weeks in Judd Trump’s world and it didn’t get any better for him today as he exited the Northern Ireland Open in strange fashion.
Recently, the world number two has lost the Shanghai Masters final to Ronnie O’Sullivan in a facile showing, was left frameless in a 4-0 defeat to Belgian sensation Luca Brecel at the Champion of Champions event and lost a heart-breaker to Mark Allen 6-5 in the last eight at the International Championship.
So, you can understand why the popular Englishman was a little on edge coming into today’s opening round meeting with Stuart Carrington in Belfast.
With Carrington leading 3-2 in the best of seven frames match, Trump proceeded to product a moment that “shocked” even his opponent after missing a standard red to the middle pocket in frame six.
Watching the red bounce agonisingly out at 52-0 down, Trump then smashed the other reds around the table conceding the frame and the match despite the fact there was still 83 available on the table.
Trump now faces a fine from World Snooker for the early concession and subsequently refusing to attend the media conference in the aftermath.
Carrington for his part told Eurosport that Trump had “lost his head” in acting like he did.
“I think everyone is a bit shocked. It was very strange. I’ve never lost my temper like that,” said Carrington.
“Inside you are raging, but in front of the camera it is even worse. He’s lost his head for that split second. I’ve never seen that at a match before as a professional, and I’m quite surprised to see it from one of the top players.”
You can check out the weird goings-on for yourself below:
Pot all you Snooker betting at PaddyPower.comThis sums up @judd147t‘s day ?
He falls at the first hurdle in Belfast #NIOpen pic.twitter.com/eYPkHUyzAX
— Eurosport UK (@Eurosport_UK) November 21, 2017