World Championship: 'I wouldn't get out of bed for an exhibition' - Judd Trump snubs offer from rival tour

ByAlex Livie

Published 27/04/2024 at 18:11 GMT

Snooker is awash with rumours that players could be heading for a breakaway tour. It has been addressed by some players, some more cryptically than others. Judd Trump was asked about it following his win over Tom Ford at the World Snooker Championship, and he shot those suggestions down by saying he had been approached but had no interest in leaving the World Snooker Tour.

Judd Trump has revealed he turned down an offer from a rival snooker organisation.

Trump’s focus at present is on the World Championship, and he breezed into the quarter-finals with a win over Tom Ford.

There has been plenty of chatter at the Crucible over the prospect of some players leaving World Snooker and joining a breakaway tour.

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Trump has revealed an approach came his way, but he gave it short shrift.

"A few people tried to contact me and I couldn't be bothered," Trump said. "It was a few months ago.

"These people came to my brother and he said, 'Do you want to listen?' and I was like, 'No, just [tell them to] go away.'”

The 2019 world champion has said his focus is on winning the biggest events in the sport as opposed to raking in money in exhibitions.

"I'm very happy where I am,” Trump said. “I need something with history, heritage; I need something to play for.

"I wouldn't get out of bed for an exhibition kind of series. I want the biggest challenges. I look forward to playing in more different places and hopefully World Snooker can take us to new territories."

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Asked if his approach came from China, Trump added: “I don't know, I didn't even get that far. I'm not interested one bit.

"I'm in my prime. If I was older and at the end of my career, maybe it would be different, but I don't want to waste my prime on exhibition matches.

"I would be a lot happier winning my money than being gifted it. Where I am in my career, how I'm playing and the success I've been having, I feel I can earn this money and really have a sense of achievement.

"That's something my mum and dad would want as well. My mum and dad would be more proud if I did it that way."

Ronnie O’Sullivan said earlier in the week that he would be open to discussing any offer, and Trump feels the seven-time world champion would be the player to move the needle.

"I don't think there's any real worry," Trump said. "I don't think there's enough players or names that could do damage. Ronnie is the only one if he left.

"I don't think people are that bothered by anyone else. What I've established in the game alongside Ronnie, if I'm staying here the tour will be a strong place."

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