Steve Davis has extended the olive branch to Judd Trump (Image: Getty)
Steve Davis has offered to put up Judd Trump at his house in Bristol after he was essentially left homeless by the crisis in the Middle East. Trump relocated from England to Dubai in January 2024, citing better weather and facilities. But that switch became a nightmare in February following US and Israeli strikes on Iran, which resulted in retaliatory measures across the region, including in Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The 36-year-old subsequently revealed how he had to leave the United Arab Emirates, effectively rendering him homeless. Speaking during the World Open in March, Trump said: “I had to leave [Dubai] so we went to Bangkok. It’s a bit up in the air at the moment. I don’t really think I can go back, just in case I get stuck there. Just kind of looking for somewhere else to live. At the moment I’ll just base myself in Bangkok. There’s some good practice there and I’ve been very well looked after. It’s just all a bit play-it-day-by-day. 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. 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. Away from the table, just take the positives.”
Trump has since returned to the UK to compete in the Tour Championship, where he reached the final before suffering a chastening 10-3 defeat to Zhao Xintong. It is unclear whether he has been able to return to his home in Dubai since the war in the Middle East began.
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Nevertheless, BBC stalwart Davis – who lives in Trump’s hometown of Bristol – believes the difficult experience could provide extra motivation at the Crucible. And he’s even offered him a place to stay if he needs it.
Judd Trump has not had the ideal preparation for the worlds (Image: Getty)
“It might do,” the six-time world champion said. “He can come back to Bristol. I can put him up here if he wants! Maybe he’d be happier sort of getting away from it.”
However, when it comes to winning the world championship crown, the 68-year-old is keeping his powder dry. “There are a lot of very good players at the top and obviously the top 16 is more volatile than it’s ever been before and players hit form and then drop out a little bit,” he continued.
“It’s been a very difficult season to find players that are totally in form. Everybody’s had their moments. So therefore, the door is open. Ronnie O’Sullivan started to try and time to perfection, to come and win his eighth.
“Any player that’s won an event this year has done very well, but so many players are capable of winning. It’s not a failure if you lose because you are just up against somebody good all the time.”
Zhao Xintong is the defending champion at the Crucible (Image: Getty)
Zhao will be aiming to break the Crucible curse when he gets his campaign underway. No first-time champion has ever retained the title 12 months on.
Davis doesn’t rule out the Chinese star from doing just that, even though he thinks it’s unlikely. He continued: “He’s well capable. He’s shown some strong form at the end of this season.
“But I just think it’s odds against anybody doing it. It may never happen, because there’s more players around than ever before who are capable. So the chances are getting slimmer.
“If Zhao was to do it, that would be an incredible achievement. He’s starting to produce some great stuff as well. That would be amazing if he could win it.”
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