Ronnie O'Sullivan, snooker's highest-ever earner with career winnings of £14.73 million, has left the UK and his canal boat behind for a new life in Dubai. This move comes after he made snooker's highest-ever professional break with a 153 at the World Open in Yushan, China, where he is currently in the semi-finals. According to Ronnie O'Sullivan's representative, the player sought a 'quieter life' overseas. His wife Laila Rouass played a vital role in the Dubai relocation. The residence in Dubai provides more convenient travel for tournaments in China and the Middle East, and O'Sullivan also operates a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia.
Dubai has long been popular with the wealthy because there is no income tax, attracting a steady stream of high-net-worth individuals and celebrities. However, the city is under nightly attack from Iranian suicide drones due to the war between the USA/Israel and Iran. Four people were injured in a missile strike at Dubai International Airport, with several drone strikes reported since the conflict erupted. The Dubai Media Office described the conflict situation, though specific security measures for residents remain unclear.
My backup plan was to move to Sheffield, but my wife said no.
Boxing champion Anthony Joshua is now leaving his home nation, according to the Daily Mail, with the surprise move revealed in paperwork he filed on Friday for his £150m business empire in which he is required to state which country he lives in. Joshua pressed ahead with his decision to switch residential status amid the war attack between the USA, Israel and Iran. He would have been liable to pay UK tax on dividend payments of £10.1 million in 2024 and £6.3 million in 2023. Joshua has long been a regular visitor to Dubai for training, promo work, and holidays, having trained on the helipad of the Burj Al Arab hotel in 2017. He has been in recovery since a tragic road accident in Nigeria last year that killed two close friends.
Snooker player Judd Trump relocated from England to Dubai in January 2024, citing better weather and facilities. However, he had to leave Dubai in February due to the Middle East conflict, effectively rendering him homeless. According to Daily Express - Sport, Judd Trump went to Bangkok after leaving Dubai and is basing himself there temporarily. His brother was stuck in Dubai but has since gotten out. It is unclear if Judd Trump has been able to return to his Dubai home since the war began, and he recently returned to the UK for the Tour Championship, where he reached the final but lost to Zhao Xintong 10-3.
Dubai is nearer China and the Middle East, where my tournaments and work are.
In response to Trump's situation, fellow snooker legend Steve Davis has offered support. According to Daily Express - Sport, Steve Davis has offered to put up Judd Trump at his house in Bristol. He believes Trump's difficult experience could provide extra motivation at the Crucible. Trump has been vocal about championship venues, calling for the World Snooker Championship to move to Germany during Crucible redevelopment. He suggested the Tempodrom in Germany as an alternative venue and said if the World Championship stays in the UK during hiatus, it should be at the O2 Arena. Despite these suggestions, the deal to keep the World Championship at the Crucible until 2045 is 'great news'.
Ronnie O'Sullivan's move underscores his status as snooker's top earner and his strategic career planning. His wife Laila Rouass played a vital role in the relocation, which offers logistical benefits for his global schedule. The residence in Dubai provides more convenient travel for tournaments in China and the Middle East, complementing his existing snooker academy in Saudi Arabia. This alignment of personal and professional factors has driven his decision despite the regional instability.
I went to Bangkok after leaving Dubai and am basing myself there temporarily.
Meanwhile, a mass exodus of Britons from Dubai is underway during the conflict. Thousands of Britons in Dubai are desperate to get out, with some paying up to £100,000 for private jet evacuation. Research indicates more than 100,000 Britons have tried to leave Dubai in the last 10 days, with more than 100,000 Britons attempting to flee the Middle East nation and move back home to the UK. This surge in departures contrasts sharply with the incoming moves by high-profile athletes, creating a complex demographic shift.
This contradiction highlights differing perspectives on the safety and practicality of residing in Dubai amid ongoing attacks. Sports stars like Ronnie O'Sullivan and Anthony Joshua are moving to Dubai for a quieter life, better facilities, and tax benefits, despite the conflict. In contrast, Judd Trump had to flee Dubai due to the Middle East conflict, effectively rendering him homeless, indicating it is unsafe or unviable to live there. These opposing experiences could affect decisions of other expatriates or travelers considering the region.
My brother was stuck in Dubai but has since gotten out.
Several unknowns persist regarding the situation in Dubai. What specific security measures or assurances have been provided to residents in Dubai by authorities during the attacks remains unclear, as does the current official stance or travel advisory from the UK government regarding Dubai and the UAE amid the conflict. The exact dates and details of the missile and drone attacks on Dubai International Airport and other locations have not been fully disclosed, adding to the uncertainty for those in the area.
Further unknowns involve the scope and impact of celebrity relocations. How many other British expatriates or celebrities have relocated to or from Dubai due to the conflict, beyond the reported cases, is not known. Additionally, the long-term plans of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Anthony Joshua, and Judd Trump regarding their residences and careers in relation to the conflict are yet to be fully articulated, leaving their future movements in question.
I have offered to put up Judd Trump at my house in Bristol.
Anthony Joshua's background adds context to his international profile. Research shows he was born in Watford of Nigerian heritage and represented Great Britain, winning gold at the 2012 London Olympics. This global identity aligns with his business and residential decisions, as he navigates both personal tragedy and financial considerations in a volatile region.
Additional context comes from the recent attack timeline and celebrity perspectives. The UAE have been targeted by Iran with missiles and drones across the last 10 days to two weeks, intensifying the security crisis. Former footballer Rio Ferdinand and his wife Kate Ferdinand revealed what it is like to live in Dubai amid the US-Iran war, describing frightening noises and precautionary measures like going into basements.
I believe Trump's difficult experience could provide extra motivation at the Crucible.
I have called for the World Snooker Championship to move to Germany during Crucible redevelopment.
I suggested the Tempodrom in Germany as an alternative venue for the World Championship.
If the World Championship stays in the UK during hiatus, it should be at the O2 Arena.
The deal to keep the World Championship at the Crucible until 2045 is 'great news'.