6 hours Ago By [email protected] (Ben Crawford, Aaron Morris)
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Judd Trump has bid farewell to the UK this month, as he plans to divide his time between Hong Kong and Dubai.
The Ace In The Pack currently tops the World Snooker Tour's world rankings. However, the Bristol-born player has now decided to change his surroundings. World No.
1 Trump announced in January that he has taken up residence in Hong Kong, where he will live with his girlfriend Maisy Ma, a figure skater and TV host. Although he won't be permanently based in the former British colony, dividing his time with another place where he has gained residency, Dubai, the 35-year-old still speaks fondly of the area that clearly holds a special place in his heart. Towards the end of 2024, it was revealed that another of snooker's greats, Ronnie O'Sullivan , would become a resident of Hong Kong, citing the administrative region's low income tax.
The Rocket obtained residency through a specific migrant scheme, and in January, it was confirmed that Trump had done the same, reports the Mirror . Both reportedly gained residency through a 'quality migrant admission scheme', and Trump has been incredibly complimentary about the region and his reasons for wanting to spend his time there. Speaking on what drew him to Hong Kong, Trump said: "Everything really.
"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.
" His girlfriend Ma continues to influence his affinity for the area. The 25-year-old figure skating talent and TV host from Hong Kong comes with her own spotlight, boasting over 180,000 followers on Instagram. Emphasising her understanding of life in the public eye, Trump shared with 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." Aside from Hong Kong, the snooker star is expanding his horizons with a new base in Dubai, offering him a separate hub in the Persian Gulf distinct from his shared time with Ma in Hong Kong. He explained: "My main base will be in Dubai, but my girlfriend lives in Hong Kong.
"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.
" In reflection on his Masters tournament run earlier this year, which saw him exit early due to a loss against the current world champion Kyren Wilson , Trump commented on the positive shift in his life since moving his base overseas. He said: "Last year or 18 months ago, I wouldn't have expected this, but my life has really changed for the better. "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.".
