Snooker pundit's view clear on Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan's decision to quit UK

 With top talent like Judd Trump and Ronnie O’Sullivan taking up residence outside the UK, this snooker pundit has chimed in on whether moving will affect their Crucible prospects

Ken Doherty has assessed Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan's moves(Image: UGCRSR)

Snooker icon and BBC pundit Ken Doherty admits that Judd Trump and Ronnie O'Sullivan being based outside the UK may boost their World Snooker Championship chances.

Though World No. 1 Trump and the scarcely seen O'Sullivan have enjoyed drastically different campaigns to this point, both saw eye-to-eye at the tail-end of 2024 when being granted residency and leaving for Hong Kong, citing its proximity to lucrative events in Asia among other influences for the switch.

Furthermore, Trump, whose current other half is a Hong Kong native, also splits his time between a Dubai base, which allows simple travel back to the UK, but remains close to Asia. It is this conditioned travelling that Doherty feels could give both The Ace in the Pack and The Rocket an edge over others who have endured a long globetrotting term to date when it comes to the Crucible gauntlet.

"I think it might actually suit them [being based outside the UK] because the season is so long and there's a lot of travelling for tournaments," Doherty exclusively told the Mirror, courtesy of Betway.

"The fact that the likes of Judd can go to Dubai and relax, they have a good base out there and it's pretty much halfway between the UK and China, it's not such a long journey.

"I think having a base in Dubai like Judd is suited to guys like that, and I don't think it'll affect them. As I said, there are so many tournaments that being in Dubai is a good base point."

O'Sullivan has won at the Crucible seven times(Image: Getty Images)

Trump himself has opened up about the specific reasons for him flipping between Hong Kong and Dubai - and leaving behind his native England - citing that he believes it to be 'perfect' as he eyes up a long-awaited second world title.

"I think there's so many tournaments in Asia and the Middle East, everywhere is kind of picking that up, and now I'm able to base myself in Dubai and Hong Kong," admitted the 35-year-old.

"For me, it's perfect," he continued. "I think the style of living for me really suits me, and it inspires me as well to see other people doing great."

Trump is currently based outside the UK(Image: @juddtrump/Instagram)

Doherty echoed Trump's ideal, as did another legend of the game, Dennis Taylor. Taylor believes that having some of snooker's top brass living abroad won't dent the state of the sport in the UK one bit.

"There's very few [players moving abroad]," added Taylor. "It is always players moving to the UK from abroad, and that's been happening since the days of Eddie Charlton, who did over 100 trips from Australia.

"I don't think it impacts the game in the UK. It's not just a UK game anyway now, it's a worldwide game growing all over the world, so it's not going to impact that.

"The fact that the BBC signed up for another seven years shows the game is healthy and is growing all over the world.

"The viewing figures and the crowds are getting bigger. The game is in good shape, so there isn't much wrong with the sport."