Thirty years have passed since Ronnie O’Sullivan originally declared he would give up professional snooker, but he still produces the best form of his life. The ‘Rocket,’ who had previously added the UK Championship and Masters titles to his record Triple Crown collection this season, defeated Judd Trump to win the World Grand Prix last Sunday
Despite this, the 48-year-old keeps complaining about his performance and frequently suggests he’s about to hang up the whistle. He openly questioned how long he would be able to continue after his most recent victory in Leicester, saying he was no longer enjoying his snooker.
However, O’Sullivan’s retirement suggestion has long been met with skepticism from commentators and fans alike. When he first declared his intention to retire after losing to Ken Doherty in the 1994 UK Championship, he was only eighteen years old and had only been in the professional ranks for two years.
At the time his comments were perceived as a rash reaction from a teenager not yet accustomed to the ups and downs of top-level sport. But some 18 years and endless more retirements threats later, and it seemed the Englishman had finally followed through with his apparent intention to quit in 2012.
His announcement that he would be taking a year off from competition caused supporters to worry that he might not play again. Ironically, O’Sullivan began his leave of absence by tending to pigs, but his vacation was short-lived.
He acknowledged that by January of the next year, he was pining for the game and had attended the Masters to witness a match between two of his competitors, Graeme Dott and Mark Selby. He returned to action a few weeks later, just in time to defend his World Championship title at the Crucible.
It proved a worthwhile decision. As if he’d never been away, O’Sullivan reached the final in Sheffield and won his fifth of what is now seven world crowns, comfortably beating Barry Hawkins 18-12.
O’Sullivan’s most recent rumors coincide with a hectic itinerary that includes matches in China and Saudi Arabia as part of his preparation for this year’s Crucible. In fact, his father recently attacked the World Snooker Tour’s management for allegedly selling its prize asset to increase viewership.
After his son defeated Alfie Burden 5-3 in Burnley on Tuesday to gain a spot in the World Open in Yushan, he called Barry Hearn a “tyrant.” Hearn “would have been absolutely over the moon if Ronnie got beat,” Ronnie Sr. continued.
