Ronnie O'Sullivan has no plans to quit snooker but reveals key target to boost golden 32-year career
Published 01/10/2024 at 08:12 GMT+1
Ronnie O'Sullivan has set out his future plans to maintain his hunger in the sport, but has no plans to hang up his cue after 32 years at the top. The snooker GOAT withdrew from last week's British Open in Cheltenham, but is due to return to competitive action at the Wuhan Open in China on Monday, live on Eurosport and discovery+. "We all have moments where we hate what we do," said O'Sullivan.
'Steady decline for five years' - O'Sullivan critical of performance despite victory over Zhang
Video credit: TNT Sports
Snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan admits he will have to "pace" himself to extend his golden career, but has no plans to quit the sport after 32 years at the top.
The seven-time world champion and record 41-time ranking event winner aims to continue playing while prioritising major tournaments and exhibitions in China and Saudi Arabia, which he describes as "fantastic".
O'Sullivan withdrew from the British Open last week, but is due to return to action at the Wuhan Open in China on Sunday morning when he faces Mitchell Mann in his tournament opener, live on Eurosport and discovery+.
The Essex player turned professional in 1992 and says he will continue to alter his schedule to give him the best chance of future success.
"As long as I can pace myself," said O'Sullivan on 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."
O'Sullivan also revealed he intends to join fellow Eurosport pundit Jimmy 'Whirwind' White by competing on the World Seniors tour this season.
"At the moment, I'm enjoying playing on the main tour," he said.
"There is the seniors tour where a lot of the players can go and play in an older category, and still really enjoy it.
"There is also a huge pool circuit in China now. Which is probably bigger than snooker. It is like their national sport out there at the moment.
"There are different avenues to go down. And there are other cue sports I can always turn my hand to.
"As long as there are no tournaments on the main tour, I can play in any event I want to, so I'll probably play in some seniors events in a few months' time."
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He clinches shock win over O'Sullivan at English Open
Video credit: TNT Sports
O'Sullivan has made a strong start to the season by reaching the semi-finals at the Shanghai Masters and Xi'an Grand Prix, and the quarter-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters.
But the world No. 5 was scathing about his performance after losing 4-2 to world No. 63 He Guoqiang in the last 64 of the English Open in Brentwood a fortnight ago.
“I'm awful, it's embarrassing. I miss so many balls," he said.
O'Sullivan needs one more world title to move ahead of Stephen Hendry as the most prolific winner of the World Championship of the modern era, but says he is content with his achievements in the sport's biggest competition.
"There was a time when I didn't think I was ever going to win one World Championship, so to be sitting here on seven feels ridiculous," he said.
"I'm not going to get greedy and want the eighth. If you said I'm going to get one, I'd be happy with that.
"I'm not hungry to get titles. As long as I'm enjoying playing, that's the main thing."
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'What a pot!' - O'Sullivan turns on the style with opening red in final frame
Video credit: TNT Sports
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