Judd Trump urges snooker chiefs to curb rowdy fan behavior after semi-final loss

Judd Trump has called on snooker's governing bodies to take swift action against increasingly rowdy fan behavior, expressing concern that the sport is developing a 'darts atmosphere' during major events like the World Snooker Championship. Trump, visibly frustrated after a spectator heckled him during his semi-final loss to Mark Williams, emphasized the need to 'stamp out' such disruptions immediately. He clarified that while he supports enthusiastic support for players, disruptive comments during play are unwelcome and detract from the sport's traditionally respectful environment. In contrast, Mark Williams, who defeated Trump, downplayed the impact of crowd noise, saying he is used to playing in much louder venues and that it does not affect his performance. Trump made no excuses for his defeat and praised Williams' performance, who now aims to become the tournament's oldest world champion. The incident highlights a growing debate within the sport about balancing fan engagement with maintaining snooker's decorum.