Despite expressing his desire to retire from Snokker, Ronni O’Sullivan has stated that he has had enough at the World Grand Prix.
Although acknowledging that he has lost interest in the demands of the game, Ronnie O’Sullivan has no intention of calling it quits on his illustrious 32-year career in snooker. Having won the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, and Masters, the seven-time world champion is having one of his best seasons yet. Despite this, he admitted, “I’m quite thrilled, but I do find these events and playing a bit of a struggle.”
You cannot view this video in your country. You may get more details about this here.
No Filter: O’Sullivan wins a record-tying ninth Masters title behind the scenes
Despite acknowledging that “I’m not enjoying my snooker,” snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan has taken steps to allay suspicions that he may be considering quitting from the game.
In the quarterfinals of the World Grand Prix at the Morningside Arena in Leicester on Friday, O’Sullivan defeated Scottish Open champion Gary Wilson with a confident performance, earning him his 12th consecutive competitive match of the year.
The 48-year-old O’Sullivan defeated Wilson 5-1 on the black after the seven-time world champion had won 5-2 against Zhang Anda. O’Sullivan, however, needed breaks of 68, 129, 78, and 58 to advance to the semi-finals on Saturday night.
Since going professional in 1992, O’Sullivan’s career will have reached 91 ranking tournament semi-finals.
The world No. 1 said he is lacking motivation despite having a tremendous season that included victories at the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, and Masters. He also advanced to the International Championship semi-finals.
He said to ITV, “I constantly have to create reasons to play, like I’ll do it for this and that.” “I never would have imagined that I would genuinely want to accomplish this.”I have felt like I’ve been soaring at times. It’s been fantastic: You feel as though you’re on top of the world.”Too few have shown good form. It seems as though I’ve been playing automatically.”I’ve been fortunate to work with [sports psychiatrist] Steve Peters for the past ten or twelve years.
“I consider myself quite lucky for that, but as you get older, there are more and more reasons to continue playing.”Although there are many reasons to encourage me to continue playing, I’m not sure if they are still worthwhile. “I’m not saying I’m going to retire; everyone always asks when you’re going to retire, but I never said that, so don’t quote me on that,” I added.However, I’m not having fun playing snooker.When you are winning, it is difficult to give up.
“That voice in the back of your mind that keeps telling you to stroll tournaments if I can just get my game halfway right.”
“Very amazing”: O’Sullivan defeats Carter in the championship match to earn his seventh Masters title.
The 1997 world champion Ken Doherty and former world No. 3 Neal Foulds have indicated that if O’Sullivan wins a record-tying eighth global title at the Crucible, it could be time for him to retire.
Last month, O’Sullivan defeated Ding Junhui 10-7 to win the UK title for the eighth time, and last Sunday, he defeated Ali Carter 10-7 to win the Masters for the eighth time.
“There’s bad blood there,” Hendry said in reference to O’Sullivan and Carter’s violent altercation.
O’Sullivan states that he is “still not happy with my game” and that he would “rather play well and get beat.”
2024 World Grand Prix: Up-to-date standings, outcomes, itinerary, and play order
“Beating someone who truly wants it is not nice,” stated O’Sullivan, who intends to take a vacation from the game by skipping the Welsh Open and German Masters.
Because these folks are trying their asshole ass, I don’t feel well. I feel guilty about beating up individuals who genuinely want it. It doesn’t feel correct.Is it possible that the World Championship will be his final one? I don’t mind the tournaments where no one is watching, but that one is the worst for me out of all of them. You are not required to press. Nobody will notice if you chip in and play like a donkey.”You feel like you have to do your hardest in the major events because everything is so scrutinized. “I do try, but I’ve just had enough of it,” the player said. “I feel fairly happy, I’m pleased in myself, but I find these tournaments and playing a bit of a struggle.”
