Snooker stars Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan have shifted their bases to Dubai over the last 18 months, driven by lifestyle preferences. Veteran player Jimmy White recently weighed in on how this change might influence their professional performance.
White’s Perspective on the Relocation
Jimmy White, a six-time world snooker finalist, addressed the moves during a discussion following an exhibition match. He expressed confidence that the relocation would not hinder their game. “I don’t think it’ll affect their snooker, those guys living in Dubai,” White stated. He highlighted Judd Trump’s consistently high level of play and noted the quality facilities available in Dubai. White also emphasized Ronnie O’Sullivan’s dedication to practice, adding, “If he’s going to win his eighth world title, he needs to play in tournaments to get matchplay.”
Judd Trump’s Reasons for Moving
Trump, who has a partner from Hong Kong, made it clear that tax advantages were not the primary motivation. “We can’t get away with tax. Everything (earned) in the UK is still taxed. So that’s not the reason,” he explained. Instead, Trump pointed to the appeal of Dubai’s sunny weather for outdoor activities. He enjoys golf during downtime but finds the UK’s cold climate limiting. “For me, the reason for going is I enjoy spending time outdoors, and I can’t really get that here in the UK anymore,” Trump said. He brought golf clubs to the UK Championship but couldn’t play due to the weather.
Trump also considered the evolving nature of professional snooker, with more tournaments abroad. “I’ve always wanted to move to Dubai. I just felt like now is the time when the game is changing, really. Half the tournaments are abroad,” he noted. He anticipates benefits from being closer to international events, especially with potential growth in Chinese tournaments following players like Zhao Xintong.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Motivations
O’Sullivan, who married Laila Rouass last year, cited practical challenges from his global schedule as a key factor. “I work a lot in the Middle East and China and the jet lag, I could never get on top of it. That was a struggle,” he confessed. The move offers simplicity and favorable weather. “We’re not there for a bougie sort of lifestyle. I just like the simplicity of it there, the weather’s great,” O’Sullivan added.
White’s High Praise for O’Sullivan
White has long regarded O’Sullivan as the pinnacle of the sport. In a 2023 interview with Eurosport, he declared, “Ronnie O’Sullivan [is] for sure the GOAT. Greatest of all time. Seven world titles, seven UK titles, seven Masters titles, more than 1,200 centuries so far in his career.” White attributes O’Sullivan’s status to his effortless style. “Why he’s so good is because he makes the game look so easy. That is why Ronnie O’Sullivan is the greatest of all time.”
White shared these insights after an exhibition match against Ken Doherty at a lounge event during the Masters tournament.
