Judd Trump Breaks Silence on UK Exit: “It Was Never About Tax
Judd Trump has firmly dismissed suggestions that his decision to spend time outside the UK was driven by tax advantages, insisting lifestyle and sporting reasons were behind his move — not finances.
The world No.1, who has split his time between Dubai and Hong Kong for the past 18 months, says the change has allowed him to enjoy a better quality of life while continuing to compete at the highest level of snooker. Trump, 36, follows in the footsteps of other top players who have relocated abroad, but he is keen to distance himself from comparisons with figures such as Tyson Fury.
Despite being based overseas, the Bristol-born star has no issue travelling back to Britain for major events and will soon return to London for his Masters first-round clash against Ding Junhui. According to Trump, the idea that players can avoid UK tax by relocating is simply inaccurate.
“We can’t escape tax — anything earned in the UK is still taxed,” Trump explained. “That was never the reason for going.”
Instead, the two-time Masters champion says the UK climate no longer suits his lifestyle. A keen golfer, Trump revealed that cold weather has limited his ability to spend time outdoors during the snooker season.
“I love being outside and playing golf in my downtime,” he said. “I even brought my clubs to the UK Championship, but it was just too cold to play.”
Trump added that the changing landscape of professional snooker also influenced his decision. With an increasing number of tournaments held overseas, he believes being based abroad could soon make practical sense.
“I’ve always wanted to move to Dubai, and it felt like the right time,” he said. “Half the tournaments are now played outside the UK, and I can see a future where being based somewhere like Dubai is actually more beneficial.”
For Trump, the move represents not an escape, but an evolution — balancing elite performance with a lifestyle that keeps him motivated at the top of the game.
