Judd Trump explains why he moved to Dubai
Judd Trump has explained his decision to relocate from the UK to Dubai as he pursues success at the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible. The world number one, who has resided in the Middle East for several years, spent a month in Thailand following the outbreak of the US- and Israeli-led war with Iran but has since returned to the UAE, reports BritPanorama.
Trump, who recently triumphed in his first-round match with a 10-5 victory over Gary Wilson, indicated that he does not plan to return to Britain. “I won’t be coming back to the UK,” the 36-year-old confirmed. Moreover, he noted, “Maybe I’ll go somewhere else, but I definitely won’t be coming back to the UK anytime soon. Dubai is still my base.”
Following the championship, Trump intends to head straight back to Dubai rather than stopping in Bristol to visit family. His decision comes amid the regional instability stemming from the recent conflict, which forced many tourists and residents to evacuate the UAE.
During the crisis, Trump was without a permanent residence for several weeks, requiring him to move to Thailand immediately after competing at the World Open in China. Reflecting on the situation, he remarked, “It was a little bit difficult when the war started. I had to stay in Thailand for a month.” However, he reassured fans that he has adequately prepared for snooker’s premier event at the Crucible, stating, “I’ve managed to practise for the World Championship. It’s been more back to normal.”
The current season has posed multiple challenges for Trump beyond the recent geopolitical turmoil, which he described as “stop-start” due to various off-table complications. This included his younger brother Jack experiencing significant visa issues, preventing his entry into the UAE until January. “At the start of the season, up until January, my brother wasn’t able to come in. So I wasn’t able to practise,” Trump explained.
Despite the setbacks, he has found a rhythm and reached several semi-finals and finals throughout the season. Trump commented, “Yeah, it’s been a strange season. A lot more going off the table than I’ve ever had really, but it’s still been decent.”
Both Trump and fellow competitor Ronnie O’Sullivan notably skipped the traditional media day at the Crucible before the championships commenced. This absence has drawn criticism from former world champion Shaun Murphy, who expressed concerns about the image implications for both stars, noting that it might harm their public perception amid expectations to engage more actively with the sport.
In the world of snooker, where personalities and performance often intertwine, Trump’s continued absence from familiar grounds complicates the narrative, leaving fans pondering the broader implications of such choices on the game’s image and future.
