Update: Ken Doherty gives honest verdict on Ronnie O’Sullivan living outside the UK News

Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump have, separately, relocated to Hong Kong to help cope with snooker’s intense travel demands.

Snooker legend and BBC TV pundit Ken Doherty has suggested that Ronnie O’Sullivan and Judd Trump’s separate call to live outside the UK could give them an edge in the 2025 World Snooker Championship.

Both players – despite experiencing different trajectories so far this season – found a shared strategy by the end of 2024 as they chose to settle in Hong Kong. The allure of being closer to lucrative tournaments in Asia played a role, along with Trump’s personal connections in the region.

Trump’s additional base – in Dubai – serves as a convenient midpoint for travel between the UK and Asia. Doherty believes this clever relocation could provide Trump and O’Sullivan with an advantage over competitors who have had to endure demanding travel schedules leading up to the Crucible.

Speaking to Betway, Doherty commented on the strategic move. “I think it might actually suit them [being based outside the UK] because the season is so long and there’s a lot of travelling for tournaments,” he said.

“The fact that the likes of Judd can go to Dubai and relax, they’ll have a good base out there and it’s also pretty much halfway between the UK and China, it’s not such a long journey. I think having a base in Dubai like Judd is suited to guys like that – and I don’t think it’ll affect them. As I said, there are so many tournaments that being in Dubai is a good base point.”

Doherty’s view is echoed by another snooker hero, Dennis Taylor, who remains optimistic that the trend of top players moving overseas will not negatively impact the sport’s standing in the UK.

With a slight nod to history, Taylor added: “There’s very few [players moving abroad],” he said. “It is always players moving to the UK from abroad, and that’s been happening since the days of Eddie Charlton, who did over 100 trips from Australia.”

He also stressed the international appeal of snooker, saying: “I don’t think it impacts the game in the UK.

“It’s not just a UK game anyway now, it’s a worldwide game – and growing all over the world – so it’s not going to impact that. The fact that the BBC has signed up for another seven years shows that the game is healthy and is growing all over the world. The viewing figures and the crowds are getting bigger. The game’s in good shape, so there isn’t much wrong with the sport.”