Ronnie O’Sullivan has got his 'game together' and tipped to secure record eighth World Championship title
Updated 27/10/2025 at 17:11 GMT
Ronnie O'Sullivan told TNT Sports that he would love to get his hands on an eighth World Championship crown, and he has been backed to achieve that feat at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield next year by a panel of TNT Sports experts. Watch and stream top snooker action, including the International Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
'Make no mistake, he wants to win' - TNT Sports panel’s Triple Crown predictions
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O’Sullivan has been tipped to secure an eighth World Championship after getting his "game together".
O’Sullivan had a tough time in the 2024/25 season, which culminated in him being crushed by Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals at the Crucible.
Since that chastening 17-7 defeat, O’Sullivan has relocated to Dubai and armed himself with a new cue.
The early signs for the 2025/26 season have been positive, as he was beaten by Neil Robertson in the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters - an event in which he crafted two maximums in one match against Chris Wakelin.
O’Sullivan has said he will pick and choose his events in a bid to be at the peak of his powers for the big moments in the season.
The 49-year-old, who turns 50 in December, spoke to TNT Sports earlier in the season about how he still had a desire to win an eighth world title to break out of a tie with Stephen Hendry for the most Crucible wins.
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The Triple Crown season is on the horizon, with the UK Championship getting underway in York in November, and the TNT Sports panel of Rachel Casey, Jimmy White and Alan McManus offered up their opinions on the destination of snooker’s big events this season.
When asked for his Crucible tip, McManus said: "I am going to go with Ronnie O’Sullivan. I think he will be determined. Old Father Time has a say and his time might be running out, but I think he is going to have a real go."
White concurred, as he said: "I am going with Ronnie O’Sullivan. He narrowly lost to Neil Robertson in Saudi, but he is happy with his cue and has his game together.
"Make no mistake, he wants to win it eight times."
In a clean sweep for the ‘Rocket’, Casey said: "I am going with Ronnie. I think it is his last big chance. I am not saying he is going to retire or anything but I think it is now or never if he is going to do it again."
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The Barbican in York plays host to the UK Championship, and the panel were split on their fancies.
"I am going to go for Shaun Murphy because of the form I think he is in right now," McManus said.
Saudi winner Robertson is the selection of White, who said: "I am going to go with Neil Robertson. He won in Saudi Arabia, beat off Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comeback. He’s not played in the other tournaments to keep himself fresh for the UK."
Casey said: "I am going to go with Zhao Xintong. I think there is so much more to come from our reigning world champion and world champions have a pretty good record when it comes to the UK Championship."
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Zhao Xintong has had a low-key time of things in the current campaign, but White and McManus feel the Crucible hero will burst into life at the Masters in January.
McManus said: "Who likes the big stage? Zhao Xintong. I feel when he gets to the Masters he might just revel in that atmosphere."
White added: "I have gone with Zhao Xintong. He has won the World Championship and the UK, and it [the Masters] is the only Triple Crown he has not won and he is a big-time player. He hasn’t produced so far this season, but I think that will be his time."
Shaun Murphy is the defending champion at the Masters, and Casey feels he will come good again.
"I am going with Shaun Murphy," Casey said. "He loves it there and is like a peacock going round the Alexandra Palace, and I am going with him to defend his crown."
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Watch and stream top snooker action, including the International Championship, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
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