The Rocket's Revelation: O'Sullivan Hints at Retirement, Driven by Global Ambitions
Ronnie O'Sullivan, the enigmatic and ever-compelling seven-time World Champion, has once again set the snooker world ablaze with his candid pronouncements regarding his future in the sport. In a sweeping interview with TNT Sports and other outlets, the Rocket, now embarking on his 34th year as a professional, opened up about his legendary career, his lingering memories of the baize, and the driving force behind his continued presence on the green cloth.
The revelation? O'Sullivan suggests he'd likely be retired by now if it weren't for his thriving snooker ventures in China and Saudi Arabia. Intriguingly, he hasn't played a single tournament on UK soil since the 2025/26 season, a stark contrast to the player poised to defend his eight-time champion status at the upcoming 2025 UK Championship, where he'll face Zhou Yuelong in the first round (December 2nd).
Following the World Championship earlier this year, O'Sullivan relocated to Dubai, UAE, and cemented his personal life by marrying his partner of 13 years, Laila Rouass, in June.
While his residence may have shifted, O'Sullivan's snooker prowess continues to shine brightly on the international stage. He secured a runner-up finish at the second Saudi Arabia Masters in August, narrowly losing to Neil Robertson in a thrilling 10-9 final, earning a cool ￡200,000. Notably, he even conjured two maximum 147 breaks in the semi-finals, a feat rarely seen.
\You know, the UK circuit isn't my main focus anymore,\ O'Sullivan stated during the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship earlier this month. \It's because I'm not in a rush to play any particular tournament unless I feel it aligns with my interests.\
The Rocket, approaching his 50th birthday, elaborated, \In a way, I enjoy the travel. I'm particularly fond of my snooker academy in Riyadh and I highly value my partnerships with my friends in China. It's all important.\
O'Sullivan opened his second snooker academy in Riyadh last October, following the first, which launched in Singapore in June 2022.
\So, if it wasn't for China and Saudi Arabia, I probably wouldn't be playing anymore,\ he admitted. \At my age [and with my accomplishments], I just want to be the best I can be in the tournaments I choose to play, but I won't allow playing to be my whole life again.\
He made his stance crystal clear: \If my friends in China and Saudi Arabia were to end our partnerships tomorrow, I would not hesitate to end my career.\
However, O'Sullivan reassured fans that even in retirement, he wouldn't be lost to the world of snooker. Coaching or commentating are potential avenues he'd consider. \But that doesn't mean I'm uninterested in the upcoming UK Championship,\ he clarified. \On the contrary, I'm even looking forward to next year's World Championship.\
O'Sullivan's words are a potent reminder of the changing landscape of snooker. He is a global icon, and his future, it seems, is inextricably linked to the growth and development of the sport beyond its traditional boundaries. The Rocket's career may be approaching its twilight, but his impact on snooker, both on and off the table, will undoubtedly be felt for generations to come. We eagerly await his performance at the UK Championship and the tantalizing prospect of another World Championship run in 2026. The world is watching, waiting to see what magic the Rocket will conjure next.
