Judd Trump will not be joining a breakaway snooker circuit next season

In a post-match press conference following his 13-7 victory over Tom Ford in the second round of the 2024 World Snooker Championship, Judd Trump has clearly stated that he has no interest whatsoever in joining a rival snooker circuit next season.

Speculation has been rife in recent weeks about a potential series of high-profile tournaments - away from the World Snooker Tour’s current professional set-up - taking place in the coming months.

The pot has been stirring since the Tour Championship earlier this month with three-time world champion Mark Williams making somewhat cryptic comments about his future, and John Higgins suggesting uncertainty about his upcoming schedule in an interview after his first round win at the Crucible.

During his trip to Sheffield on Wednesday, Matchroom Sport President Barry Hearn even referenced the rumours and reiterated the strength of the current professional tournament roster and the increased prize money on offer next season with new events to be held. Following his round one win on Thursday afternoon, seven-time world champion Ronnie O’Sullivan - who doesn’t appear to be moving away from the WST structure - commented on how he believed that fellow snooker legends Williams and Higgins could be playing their snooker elsewhere after this event.

It has been reported that players on this breakaway circuit would be guaranteed at least £300,000 regardless of their results in any such events being held on it. During next season’s WST circuit, the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, the Masters and the World Championship are all set to have bigger first prizes than that.

When asked by the press about his thoughts on a possible breakaway scene, Trump declared that he has no desire to join. The 34-year-old said: “I tried to keep myself away from that. I think a few people have tried to contact me and I just couldn’t be bothered.

“I’m very happy where I am with the tournaments I play in. I need something with history, heritage and those kind of venues. I need something to play for. I don’t think I would really get out of bed for an exhibition series.

“I want the biggest challenges and I look forward to hopefully playing in more different places. I’m just trying to win every single tournament and trying to get back to number one.

“I’m not interested one bit at this moment. I feel like now I’m in my prime; if I was at the end of my career maybe it would be different, but I don’t want to be wasting my prime away on exhibition games.

“Everyone’s different but with my season I just want to win everything. I feel like with new tournaments being announced, more prize money, I’m happy travelling the circuit.

“For me, it’s about the titles. At the end of the day everyone wants more money, but this isn’t the right time for me. I’d be a lot happier winning my money rather than getting gifted it.”