Wu Yize, the 22-year-old snooker world champion, has struggled to maintain the form that earned him the World Championship title in May. He defeated Shaun Murphy in a thrilling final at Sheffield with a score of 18-17, but since then, his performance in other tournaments has been inconsistent. In his first event of the season, the Shanghai Masters, Wu reached the semi-finals, but he has since faced early exits in the China Open, Wuhan Open, and British Open. He lost to players like Dave Gilbert, Artemijs Zizins, and Kyren Wilson, respectively. This week, Wu is competing in the English Open in Brentwood, hoping to regain his competitive edge. Judd Trump, the 2019 world champion, has spoken about Wu's current challenges, noting that the pressure of being a world champion and a rising star in China—a country where snooker is extremely popular—might be affecting Wu's performance. Trump, who was 29 when he won the World Championship, said he did not face the same level of pressure as Wu, who is just 22 years old. Trump explained that while he had an "unbelievable start" after his own title win, he also recognized that players can sometimes become complacent after such a high. Trump acknowledged that young champions like Wu and Zhao Xintong, the 2025 world champion, might be more distracted by sponsorships and other off-table responsibilities than he was during his early career. He mentioned that he worked hard for a month after his World Championship win before competing in his first event, emphasizing the importance of maintaining focus and discipline. Trump believes that while the hype and expectations can be tough for young players, he is confident Wu will eventually bounce back, just as Zhao Xintong did after a slow start to his season. Reflecting on his own journey, Trump recalled his loss in the 2011 Crucible final to John Higgins at the age of 21. He said he does not regret the loss, believing it was part of his growth as a player. He added that winning the World Championship at a young age might have carried him away, and that the loss helped him stay grounded. Trump's experience serves as a reminder that even the most successful players face challenges, and perseverance is key to long-term success in the sport.