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Judd Trump is currently living thousands of miles away from his figure-skating girlfriend, having relocated from the UK in January 2024 . Despite boasting an impressive career with 30 ranking titles to his name, Trump suffered a defeat in the Northern Ireland Open final on Sunday, losing 9-8 to Jack Lisowski . This marked the first time that 34-year-old Lisowski has managed to best the world No. 1 in a ranking final, after three previous losses, securing his first-ever ranking title in Belfast. It's been a rocky season for Trump, who experienced last-16 defeats at both the English Open and the British Open last month, while going without a ranking title since December 2024. The 36-year-old has been living in Dubai for nearly two years now, while also spending some time approximately 3,700 miles away in Hong Kong , where his girlfriend Maisy Ma resides . It's been suggested within the snooker community that Trump's relocation might be impacting his performance. However, the former world champion dismissed this theory, pointing to the significant tournament victories he's achieved since moving to the Middle East. Since his move, he's clinched victories at the German Masters, World Open, Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters, UK Championship and the Shanghai Masters. Speaking to TNT Sports , he said: "January 2024, I have been doing it since. "I have won a lot of big events in that period, it has zero effect on that. That is not the reason why I have not won, it is just that the standard is so good. "Sometimes you will have spells of six months, a year without winning, so you have to wait your time, be patient and put in the hard work and it will come." Trump also mentioned his cue switch, admitting that it would take time to adapt: "It is a big change in changing my cue. It is going to take a bit of time to get used to, so I am not too worried," he added. Despite changing his equipment, he still made it to his 50th ranking final on Sunday. Lisowski referred to the Bristol-born potter as his "best friend" in an emotional tribute after his win . He disclosed how Trump has supported him since his father's sudden death in March . Lisowski said: "Judd's been my best friend pretty much since I was 14, and he was there eight months ago when I got the message about my dad." He then addressed Trump directly, saying: "You've been a better friend than I could ever ask for for the last eight months. You're the closest thing I can have to a brother, and I love you." Lisowski opened up about the tragic loss of his dad earlier in the tournament as he told TNT Sports: "It's up and down. It feels different now. I didn't have a lot of fight in me the first few months, but now I'm just able to play and I don't feel like crying when I'm playing. "I played like a month after my dad died, in the Worlds, and every frame I just felt so emotional. I wish I'd had longer off. But I kept going. Obviously, it doesn't get easier, but you just get used to it."
