Judd Trump explains UK snub amid quest for World Snooker Championship glory

Lewis Henderson
Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:03:07 +0000

Judd Trump has explained why he snubbed the UK and moved to Dubai as the world number one chases glory at the Crucible.

The 36-year-old, who relocated to the Middle East several years ago, spent a month in Thailand after the United States (US)- and Israeli-led war with Iran began but has since returned to his base in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Trump, who won his first round clash 10-5 against Gary Wilson, made clear he has no intention of moving back to Britain.

"I won't be coming back to the UK," the world number one said.

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"Maybe I'll go somewhere else, but I definitely won't be coming back to the UK anytime soon. Dubai is still my base."

Once his Crucible campaign concludes, Trump plans to fly straight back rather than visiting family in Bristol.

The UAE was caught up in a precarious position with Iranian bombs falling on the region and forcing tourists and residents alike to evacuate.

Trump found himself without a home for several weeks as a result of the crisis, having to relocate to Thailand immediately after competing at the World Open in China.

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"It was a little bit difficult (when the war started). I had to stay in Thailand for a month," he explained.

Despite the upheaval, Trump confirmed he has managed to prepare adequately for snooker's showpiece event at the Crucible.

He said: "I've managed to practise for the World Championship. It's been more back to normal."

The 36-year-old acknowledged his season has been characterised by disruption beyond the recent conflict, describing it as "stop-start" due to various off-table complications.

His younger brother, Jack, who has joined him in Dubai, faced significant visa issues that prevented him from entering the country until January.

Trump said: "At the start of the season, up until January, my brother wasn't able to come in. So I wasn't able to practise.

"So I wasn't able to practise, and after that kind of period, I've been a lot more consistent and reached a lot of semi-finals and finals.

"So, 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."

Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan were both absent from the traditional media day at the Crucible before the championships got underway.

Former world champion Shaun Murphy criticised both O'Sullivan and Trump for their absence from the event.

When asked whether the no-shows could damage the image of snooker, Murphy responded: "I don't know about image problem. I think it might give those two a particular image problem. I think it might affect their image slightly.

"Once the public tag onto that themselves and realise that two of the biggest stars of the game weren't here for opening day, when everyone else has made the effort to be here... listen, it's a strange one. I don't know why they're not here. Their own decisions, aren't they?

"I've got no idea, but none of us are shocked by it. It would be more strange for us if they were here, which is saying something. It's a real shame... and they probably could both have done a little bit more to help promote the game over the years."