Ronnie O’Sullivan has admitted he doubts he will ever fully retire from snooker, despite conceding the relentless schedule of the professional circuit has become increasingly demanding.
The seven-time world champion has been at the centre of speculation regarding his long-term future in the sport, particularly as his competitive appearances have begun to dwindle in recent years.
Last season, O’Sullivan missed more than three months of action before making his return at the World Championship. Even after a lengthy break, he proved his enduring quality by reaching the semi-finals, where he eventually lost to Zhao Xintong, who went on to lift the trophy.
O’Sullivan doubts he will ever fully retire from the sport he loves, as he revealed: “Obviously, you're going to think about retirement from snooker. I thought I'd retire at 35, and I'm 49 now.
Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed he doesn't see himself ever fully retiring
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"So I've done an extra 14 years out of it more than I thought. The last time I played in Saudi, I proved to myself that yeah, I can still mix it with the top players."
In August, he also produced a strong run at the Saudi Masters, battling through to the final before being edged out by Neil Robertson in a thrilling contest.
Despite his love for competition, O’Sullivan has been candid about the toll the sport now takes on him. He admitted he has been “getting worn out” by the grind of tournaments and travel, and has opted to scale back his commitments.
“I’ve chosen to cut all the other bits and pieces out,” he explained, referencing exhibitions and overseas tours. “So, retirement? It's kind of hard for some people. I can't ever see myself retire. I just have to find things that I can do!”
Away from the baize, O’Sullivan has also been investing time into life outside of snooker. He revealed he has “two or three projects” in the works, though he was quick to acknowledge that the day will eventually come when even he may have to step aside.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has won a record seven World Championships
|PA
“There will be a time when it’s embarrassing and it’s time to put the cue down,” he admitted.
O’Sullivan also pointed to the remarkable longevity of his contemporaries. “There are a lot of really good 45-year-old snooker players. I mean, John [Higgins] is 49, Mark [Williams] is 50. But there aren't a lot of good players that can still play to a very, very high level. They just can't compete with the likes of Judd Trump, Zhao Zintong and Kyren Wilson. But among the seniors, the standard is very, very high.”
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The shift in generations was highlighted at this year’s World Championship, where Zhao claimed his maiden title. O’Sullivan, who used to practice alongside the Chinese star, was full of praise.
“I think he's got an amazing future in the game,” he told The Daily Star. “I'm sure he'll win many more titles and eventually be number one in the world.”
Zhao Xintong took the honours at this year's World Championship beating Ronnie O'Sullivan along the way
|PA
For now, O’Sullivan has indicated he will continue to compete selectively, focusing on major tournaments rather than a full calendar. His comments suggest fans can expect to see him on the sport’s biggest stages for the foreseeable future, even if his appearances become less frequent.