Snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan has confessed to being more discerning about the opportunities he pursues, recognizing that his time at the pinnacle of his career may be limited. This shift in focus entails a reduction in exhibition matches for The Rocket, as he directs his energy towards competitive tournaments.
Approaching his 50th birthday in December, O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, recently clinched victory at The Crucible in 2022. While he opted out of several events in the ongoing 2025/26 season, he did manage to reach the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in August, narrowly losing to Neil Robertson.
Although exhibition games offer significant financial rewards for top players, O’Sullivan has decided to prioritize tournament play over these engagements due to the demanding nature of balancing both. Expressing awareness of his nearing retirement, O’Sullivan articulated his commitment to giving his all in the time he has left in the sport, acknowledging the financial support from his sponsors as a key factor alleviating the pressure to participate in exhibitions.
After grappling with jetlag during a hectic schedule, O’Sullivan has relocated to Dubai, facilitating his participation in tournaments across Asia, including the upcoming Xi’an Grand Prix in China, where he reached the semi-finals last year. Emphasizing the importance of sponsor backing for his continued participation, the veteran player aims to rekindle his passion for the game as he prepares for upcoming competitions.
The decision to move away from the UK was a recent development for O’Sullivan, prompted by contemplations that arose following his semi-final defeat to Zhao Xintong at the World Snooker Championship. Anticipating a new chapter in his life, O’Sullivan disclosed plans to relocate to the Middle East, reflecting on the broader priorities beyond snooker and the need to shape his future path.
Join our new WhatsApp community and stay updated with Mirror Football content daily. Community members also enjoy exclusive offers, promotions, and updates from us and our partners. You are free to exit the community at any time. For detailed information, refer to our Privacy Notice.
At Reach and our affiliated entities, we and our partners utilize data collected through cookies and other identifiers on your device to enhance your site experience, analyze usage patterns, and deliver personalized advertising. You can opt-out of data sharing/selling anytime by clicking the “Do Not Sell or Share my Data” button at the bottom of the webpage. Your preferences are browser-specific. Your use of our website and services constitutes acceptance of cookie usage and consent to the practices outlined in our Privacy Notice and Cookie Policy.