Judd Trump called for a spectator to be ejected from his UK Championship first-round match after being disrupted three times by loud sneezing that left the world No 1 visibly unsettled.
The defending champion was locked at three frames apiece with Stephen Maguire on Saturday when the incident escalated, interrupting Trump at a crucial moment of the contest in York.
Trump, 36, was lining up a straightforward red when a conspicuously loud sneeze echoed through the Barbican, forcing him to step away from the shot.
The interruption prompted the referee to caution the audience, urging them to “please be careful”.
But as Trump steadied himself for a second attempt, the same noise rang out again - louder than before - triggering a mixture of laughter and groans from the crowd while clearly testing the player’s patience.
The third interruption proved too much.
Trump, turning to the referee, said: “It’s three times now. It’s not funny. He needs to go.”
Judd Trump was annoyed during his UK Championship clash
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The official agreed, replying: “I think that’s on purpose. They’ll try to remove that person now.”
Whether the individual was ultimately escorted out remained unclear, but the disruption had already affected the rhythm of the match.
When Trump finally returned to the table, he unexpectedly missed the red he had been lining up - an uncharacteristic error that handed an opportunity to Maguire.
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Five quirky facts about snooker | PATrump retreated to his chair shaking his head, frustrated by both the miss and the circumstances that preceded it.
Maguire was unable to capitalise, however, failing with his own attempt and allowing Trump to resume control.
The world No 1, who has rediscovered his most formidable form in recent months, eventually steadied himself and secured a 6–4 victory to move into the last 16.
While the match will be remembered primarily for the unusual stoppage rather than for any sustained drama on the table, Trump’s response underscored how external distractions - however minor they may appear - can shape momentum at elite level.
This UK Championship has already been notable for its atmosphere, with capacity crowds and an increasingly vocal audience providing both energy and occasional tension for the players.
Judd Trump is ranked world No 1
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Snooker’s strict standards of silence during shots mean that unexpected disturbances can be deeply disruptive, particularly during long, tactical frames.
Trump, known for a fast, fluid style, appears especially susceptible to rhythm breaks, which makes his recovery in the closing stages all the more significant.
His next assignment comes against Si Jiahui, who swept aside Ryan Day 6–0 to book his place in the last 16.
The young Chinese player has earned admiration across the sport for his fearless approach and run to the semi-finals of the 2023 World Championship. The clash between Trump and Si promises to be one of the most compelling encounters of the round, pairing the sport’s top-ranked player with one of its most exciting emerging talents.