2024 World Snooker Championship: Judd Trump’s Revealing Views on Leading Snooker in Saudi Arabia over Ronnie O’Sullivan

Following his commanding 13-7 victory over Tom Ford in the 2024 World Snooker Championship, Judd Trump addressed two major topics gripping the professional snooker world: the Saudi expansion and the speculated ‘breakaway’ snooker tour.

When questioned about his involvement in the negotiations for the Saudi expansion and whether he would have been a better fit to aid the sport's growth in the region instead of the 48-year-old Ronnie O’Sullivan, Trump's response was succinct: "No" and "No". However, his wry smile hinted at more than his words revealed.

Trump’s confirmation that he wasn’t approached during the negotiations is disconcerting for the sport. As the current leader of the one-year ranking list and the apparent future face of snooker, his exclusion from such ground-breaking deals raises eyebrows.

In contrast to Trump's responses, Matchroom Sport President Barry Hearn recently disclosed details of the Saudi expansion and a three-year partnership with Ronnie O’Sullivan. Hearn framed this move as part of a broader strategy to foster growth in the region and nurture young talent in the sport. Despite O’Sullivan’s selection as the face of this partnership, Trump's reaction suggested a different perspective.

When asked if he would have been a better fit for the Saudi deal, Trump responded with a smirk and a simple "No." While his words may seem to align with Hearn’s decision to partner with O’Sullivan, Trump's expression hinted at a deeper sentiment. It suggested that he believes he could have been a more suitable ambassador for the endeavour, despite the choice to elevate O’Sullivan, who has been threatening retirement from the sport for several years. 

Image credit: WST

Turning to the topic of the speculated ‘breakaway’ snooker tour, Trump disclosed that he had been contacted about the opportunity, but ultimately declined. He explained that he values tradition, heritage, and meaningful competition, stating, "I want the biggest challenges."

“A few people have tried to contact me and my brother, and I just couldn't be bothered. I'm very happy where I am with the tournaments I play in. For me, I need something with history, and heritage. I need something to play for. I don't think I could really get out of bed for an exhibition kind of series,” he told SportsBoom.com. 

Money, while important, isn't Trump's sole motivator. He emphasised his preference for earning his money outright rather than being gifted it, highlighting the satisfaction of achievement and the desires of his parents.

“At the end of the day, everyone wants more money, but this isn't the right time for me. I think for me I'd be a lot happier winning my money rather than getting gifted it. Where I'm in my career and how I'm playing and the success I've had over me the past five or six years, I feel like I can earn that money and really feel a sense of achievement and I think for me that's something my mum and dad would want as well,” he added.