Snooker star and former world champion Judd Trump has decided to move away from his native Bristol and will base himself in both Dubai and Hong Kong for the foreseeable future
Former world champion Judd Trump has waved goodbye to the UK this month as he’s set to split his time between living in Hong Kong and Dubai.
The Ace In The Pack has emerged as one of snooker’s leading modern lights and sits firmly atop the World Snooker Tour’s world rankings. However, the Bristol-born potter has now opted for a change of scenery.
World No. 1 Trump announced in January that he has taken up residency in Hong Kong, where he would live with figure skater and TV host girlfriend Maisy Ma.
Though he won’t be permanently based in the former British colony, splitting his time with another place where he has gained residency, Dubai, the 35-year-old still speaks highly of the area that evidently holds a place in his heart.
Ronnie O’Sullivan loophole
Near the end of 2024, it was announced that another of snooker’s greats, Ronnie O’Sullivan, would become a Hong Kong resident, citing the administrative region’s low income tax. The Rocket passed through a specific migrant scheme to gain residency, and in January, Trump was confirmed as having done the same.
The pair reportedly gained residency through a ‘quality migrant admission scheme’ and Trump has been incredibly complimentary to the region and his reasons for wanting to spend his time there.
“Everything really,” stated Trump when asked what enticed him to Hong Kong. “The food, the environment, the buildings, everything there is so special. In the middle of everything it is the hustle and bustle, then you drive 15 minutes and you have the beaches, you have the weather. It is such a nice place.
“The first few times I went there, perhaps I didn’t realise quite how much it had to offer. It is so nice for me to be able to have that base. Without all of these tournaments in China – and probably without Ding [Junhui] having all the success he has had – I wouldn’t be able to have that opportunity.”
Figure skating girlfriend
Another reason for the 35-year-old to be spending so much time in the area is also likely to have been influenced by his current partner. Trump’s girlfriend Ma, 25, is an accomplished figure skater and has also dabbled in TV hosting duties when off of the ice.
Ma has over 180,000 followers on social media platform Instagram, and is based in Hong Kong – whom she has represented internationally.
This fame has been lauded by Trump, who told Metro: “She [Ma] is used to being in the limelight herself, she still does TV work. It’s a good balance because she knows what I’m going through, I think that helps as well.”
Dubai base
However, Hong Kong won’t be the only place Trump calls home. He is also reportedly setting up shop in the Persian Gulf, where he’ll be based away from his girlfriend in Hong Kong.
“My main base will be in Dubai, but my girlfriend lives in Hong Kong,” Trump admitted. “I have residence in both Dubai and Hong Kong, so I’ll be split between them depending on where the tournaments are.
“It’s very different, completely different from what I’m used to. I’m used to my old life of just going to practice and then sitting at home all night, every day.
“Now there’s a lot more opportunities to do different things. It’s a more outdoorsy lifestyle, living in those different places, a lot more time after snooker to spend in the sun, or go to the beach or whatever. It’s a bit better and more inspiring than being in the miserable weather for months.”
Speaking after his unsuccessful bid at the Masters earlier in January – which he was knocked out of by reigning world champion Kyren Wilson – Trump opened up about how his life has changed for the better when living outside the UK.
“Last year or 18 months ago, I wouldn’t have expected this, but my life has really changed for the better,” admitted Trump. “I am able to enjoy myself a bit more off the table.
“It is nice to be living in a warmer climate and being able to experience that and the different cultures and stuff like that. I am in a good place off the table and that is why I am able to have the consistency that I have over the past five or six years.”