Ronnie O'Sullivan tells snooker chiefs to 'seal the deal' as Rocket reveals five-year plan

Ronnie O'Sullivan tells snooker chiefs to 'seal the deal' as Rocket reveals five-year plan

WATCH NOW: Ronnie O'Sullivan lifts an eighth Masters title in January

Lewis Winter

By Lewis Winter


Published: 26/02/2024

- 08:58

Updated: 05/03/2024

- 17:05

The seven-time world champion plans to limit the number of tournaments he enters

Ronnie O'Sullivan has told snooker organisers to 'approach me and seal that deal' if they want him to compete in tournaments.

The Rocket says he already has a five-year plan in place to play exhibitions and will limit the events he competes in around them.


O'Sullivan has already taken a break from competing this year, spending a month away from the sport before returning at last week's Players Championship.

He had won the last three tournaments he had entered before he crashed out in the quarter-final with a 6-0 whitewash against Mark Selby.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan has told snooker authorities to approach him early if they want him to play at their tournaments

Getty

O'Sullivan has not been pleased with his form at the table despite winning his previous 16 matches before last Thursday's defeat.

He recently pulled out of the German Masters to prioritise his 'health and wellbeing' and withdrew from the Welsh Open due to 'stage fright'.

O'Sullivan attended the tournament in Wales earlier this month and worked as a pundit for Eurosport.

He admits he is a big fan of the event and its venue, telling BBC Wales Sport: "I love Llandudno - it's probably up there as one of my favourite venues and places to come - so relaxed and quiet.

"I know I wasn't playing, but I just love the tournament, the week and being around the venue. That's why I wanted to come."

However, O'Sullivan was unable to confirm whether he will be competing at the event in 2025.

He says it is down to tournament organisers to approach him and convince him to add it to his schedule.

Asked if he will attend the Welsh Open in 2025, O'Sullivan responded: "It depends. It's kind of first-come-first-served with tournaments and promoters.

"If they definitely want me in the event, then they have to approach me and seal that deal.

"There's only so many tournaments I can play in, and the Far East and Asia is where all the big events are.

"I get looked after out there. If I was to play them and not do so well then I'd maybe do a few more UK events, but with all the travelling, it's hard for me to do everything.

"I need to have a bit more of a breather especially as I'm getting nearer 50."

LATEST SPORTS NEWS:

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan has won four tournaments this season including the Masters and World Grand Prix

Getty

O'Sullivan has continued to play sponsor events and exhibition matches, while he will also be at the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters of Snooker in March.

He will then be at the Crucible in April as he attempts to win a record-breaking eighth World Championship.

But the 48-year-old is not hanging his hopes on victory in Sheffield and says he is focusing on fulfilling his sponsorship duties.

O'Sullivan says he has a five-year plan in place and will fit other tournaments in around his commitments.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan will continue to limit the number of snooker tournaments he enters

Getty

He said: "I don't really want anything. I've set my stall out. I've got my sponsors, the work that I do and my exhibitions. I'm kind of tied up. I know where I'm going for the next four or five years.

"And then I just try to fit in whatever snooker I can on the main tour. It's such a tough, tough tour that I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.

"I just play in as many events as I possibly can, and hopefully I keep my ranking so don't have to go back to (qualifying competition) Q School!"

You may like