JUDD TRUMP admits he has essentially been rendered homeless due to the war in the Middle East – and he will struggle to return to his base in the United Arab Emirates before the Crucible.
The Juddernaut has been practising in Thailand ahead of travelling to Yushan in China for the World Open for the last overseas ranking event of the season.
Snooker’s World No1 player moved out to Dubai more than a year ago as he wanted a change of weather from the UK and also access to a better travel hub.
His brother had visa issues getting in but he was eventually able to join Trump out in the oil-rich country.
However, the US and Israel-led war in Iran, which began last month, has caused major havoc for people living in and travelling to Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
Emirates, one of the country’s main air carriers, temporarily suspended all its flights on Monday following a reported explosion.
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And Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office has advised all UK citizens “against all but essential travel to United Arab Emirates” as “regional escalation poses significant security risks”.
Trump said: “I had to leave. So we went to Bangkok. Yeah, it’s a bit up in the air at the moment really. I don’t really think I can go back at the moment, just in case I get stuck there.
“Just kind of looking for somewhere else to live at the moment. At the moment I’ll just base myself in Bangkok. There’s some good practice there. Very well looked after. It’s just all a bit play it day-by-day at the moment.
“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 really. 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.
“It’s just play it day by day, trying my best when I’m out there playing snooker. Away from the table, just take the positives.”
Trump is due to play at the Tour Championship in Manchester between March 30 and April 5 and then it is the big one, the World Championship, which kickstarts in Sheffield on Saturday April 18.
The 36-year-old has limited days to spend in the UK due to tax implications he might face and this has only given me more headaches.
It means he may stay in the Far East once his tournament run at the World Open is over.
He said: “I mean I’m very limited on time in the UK so it can’t really be the UK. Probably most likely Bangkok. The practice facilities are very good there and very well looked after.
“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.”