Snooker star Judd Trump has declared he is effectively homeless after fleeing Dubai amid conflict in the Middle East. Trump moved to the Persian Gulf from the UK at the start of 2025 but is now searching for a new home.
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The snooker legend from Bristol has over 30 ranking titles under his belt and a World Snooker Championship in 2019. The 36-year-old is on top form this season following his win against Shaun Murphy in the final of the German Masters in February.
Trump left England in January 2025 before settling in the UAE, dividing his time between Dubai and Hong Kong where he has dual residency, said the Daily Mirror.
There is currently state-level conflict in the surrounding area following US and Israeli strikes on Iran. Counter-strikes and drone attacks have been reported across the Gulf including Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
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Debris from intercepted missiles has reportedly hit residential areas, with significant strikes impacting Dubai International Airport and Jebel Ali Port. Trump is currently competing at the World Open in Yushan, China and says he has had to temporarily leave Dubai.
“I had to leave [Dubai] so we went to Bangkok,” Trump said while at the tournament in China. “It’s a bit up in the air at the moment.
“I don’t really think I can go back, just in case I get stuck there. Just kind of looking for somewhere else to live. At the moment I’ll just base myself in Bangkok. There’s some good practice there and I’ve been very well looked after.
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“It’s just all a bit play-it-day-by-day. My brother was stuck in Dubai for a little bit so that wasn’t good. Luckily, he’s got out now, and hopefully things turn around. I managed to practise in Thailand and dedicate myself like I normally would.
“Just trying to make the best of a bad situation. It’s just difficult at the moment because you don’t know where I’m going to be living. Every day is different. Just living in a hotel for the last few weeks.
“It’s not nice to be not at home, not knowing what you’re going to do. I don’t know what I’m going to do after this and stuff like that. Away from the table, just take the positives.”
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Trump also addressed his accommodation plans leading up to the 2026 World Snooker Championship, adding: “I’m very limited on time in the UK so it can’t really be the UK. Probably Bangkok.
“It just gets a little bit more difficult because with this tournament being in China it was easier to navigate. Being close by and being very close to the time zone.
“It gets more difficult when I’m going back to the UK for the next tournament and the Worlds. I don’t really know where I’m going to be at that point.”