Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed his plans to stay motivated in the sport, despite having no intention of retiring after an impressive 32-year career at the top. The iconic player withdrew from the British Open in Cheltenham recently but is gearing up to make his competitive comeback at the Wuhan Open in China, set to be broadcast live on Eurosport and discovery+.
“We all have moments where we hate what we do,” O’Sullivan candidly admitted. Reflecting on his illustrious career, the seven-time world champion emphasized the need to pace himself in order to prolong his time in the sport. He intends to focus on major tournaments and exhibitions, particularly in China and Saudi Arabia, which he describes as “fantastic.”
Despite withdrawing from the British Open, O’Sullivan is eager to get back on the table for the Wuhan Open. He is scheduled to face Mitchell Mann in his first match of the tournament. The Essex player, who turned professional in 1992, recognizes the importance of adjusting his schedule to optimize his chances of success in the future.
“As long as I can pace myself,” said O’Sullivan in an interview with the BBC. “We all have moments where we hate what we do. Then a few weeks later, you wake up and you go, ‘Actually, I really love this.’ That’s normal for everybody. There are so many options I can take.”
The snooker GOAT also emphasized his enjoyment of playing on the main tour, highlighting alternative options such as the seniors tour and the burgeoning pool circuit in China. He acknowledged the growing popularity of the sport in China, stating that it has become their national sport.
Furthermore, O’Sullivan has had a strong start to the season, reaching the semi-finals of the Shanghai Masters and Xi’an Grand Prix, as well as the quarter-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters. However, he was critical of his performance after a disappointing loss to world No. 63 He Guoqiang in the English Open.
As O’Sullivan prepares to return to competitive action, fans eagerly await his next moves on the snooker circuit. Stay tuned for more updates on the snooker legend’s remarkable journey in the sport.
