Judd Trump would 'not get out of bed' for LIV-style breakaway snooker tour as Saudi offer KO'd

Judd Trump has revealed he rejected offers to join a rival snooker tour as he declared he has no interest in a Saudi-backed breakaway tournament.

Trump cruised into the quarter-finals of the world championship with a 13-7 win over Tom Ford at the Crucible amid speculation the sport's biggest names could be tempted to leave the existing World Snooker Tour (WST) and play in lucrative events elsewhere. But the world number two insists he has no interest in a LIV-style breakaway.

Reports suggest that a tournament would emanate from east Asia and requires a commitment to play in eight regular events plus a grand final in exchange for a six-figure sign-on fee. But Trump told SportsBoom.com : “A few people have tried to contact me and I just couldn’t be bothered. If they try to contact me or my brother I just tell them to go away. I’m very happy where I am, with the tournaments I play in.

"I need something with history and heritage. I need something to play for. I don’t think I would really get out of bed for an exhibition series.”

Ronnie O’Sullivan recently suggested that the world championship should move to the Gulf state amid severe criticism of Sheffield’s Crucible theatre. The 48-year-old also claimed that he would back any player joining a lucrative breakaway league.

Trump added: "At the end of the day, everyone wants more money, but this isn't the right time for me. I think for me I'd be a lot happier winning my money rather than getting gifted it. Where I'm in my career and how I'm playing and the success I've had over me the past five or six years, I feel like I can earn that money and really feel a sense of achievement and I think for me that's something my mum and dad would want as well."