Ronnie O’Sullivan will mark his 50th birthday in uncharacteristically quiet fashion, planning a run, a gym session and “boring” downtime in Ireland after his early exit from the UK Championship ended any prospect of a celebratory week in York.
The seven-time world champion was beaten 6-4 by Zhou Yuelong in the first round on Tuesday, a result that not only shocked the Barbican crowd but also denied O’Sullivan a place in the quarter-finals of a tournament he has won eight times.
The defeat was O’Sullivan’s first to Zhou in eight meetings and came in his first competitive appearance on British soil since May’s World Championship.
Now based in Dubai following his move there with his new wife, O’Sullivan splits his time between the Middle East and a base in southern Ireland, where he intends to retreat immediately.
TRENDING
Stories
Videos
Your Say
“My plans now? I’ll be gone tonight,” he said.
“I’ll get to Ireland (on Wednesday) and sit and watch it on the telly. I do enjoy watching it. On my birthday, I’ll probably go for a run, eat some nice food, watch some snooker. Go to the gym. Pretty boring, really.”
Although O’Sullivan appeared relaxed about the implications of the defeat, he acknowledged the performance was far from acceptable by his own standards.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will mark his 50th birthday in uncharacteristically quiet fashion, planning a run, a gym session and “boring” downtime in Ireland after his early exit from the UK Championship ended any prospect of a celebratory week in York
|PA
“It feels all right to lose. It feels good in some ways and not so good in other ways,” he explained.
“As you get older, you probably worry a bit less about the stuff you used to worry about. Now, you just try and enjoy your life.
"I’m still disappointed if I lose. If I play well and lose, I get even more disappointed, but if I don’t feel well and lose, I just accept it wasn’t my day. I’m just here to play snooker and try my best and try to enjoy life.”
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
- Laura Woods thanks 'wonderful paramedics' and reveals she needs 'rest and hydration' after collapse on TV
- Pep Guardiola jokes 'I'm so old' and 'my players don't respect me' after Man City beat Fulham in thriller
- Gary Lineker signs huge deal with former MOTD host set to earn more than his £1.35m-a-year BBC contract
Five quirky facts about snooker | PAHe did not hide from the technical shortcomings that plagued him throughout the match.
“I missed quite a lot of balls. I didn’t deserve to win,” he admitted.
“I don’t think the tables are nippy but if you don’t hit them right, they won’t go in. That was a bit of a ropey performance, I’m not going to shy away from that.”
There were moments of vintage O’Sullivan, including a 123 break in the fourth frame, but inconsistency opened the door for Zhou, who seized the initiative with composure and tactical clarity.
The 27-year-old Chinese player twice edged frames on the final black and compiled a superb 125 in the eighth before showing remarkable nerve in the decider.
Trailing 58–46 in the tenth frame, Zhou swept the remaining colours to clinch the match and record one of the biggest victories of his career.
Ronnie O'Sullivan wasn't too downbeat following his loss at the UK Championship
|PA
Reflecting on the result, Zhou said: “I lost a deciding frame to Ronnie two years ago.
"I’ve practised every day coming into this event. I’m really proud. I wasn’t that nervous.”
As for O’Sullivan, there is uncertainty over when he will next play in the UK.
He has not confirmed whether he will appear at the Masters in January, fuelling speculation that, even in his milestone year, his schedule may grow lighter as he continues to divide time between continents.