RONNIE O’SULLIVAN IS STILL FLIRTING WITH RETIREMENT, BUT ASK DAVE HENDON WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME TO LEAVE SNOOKER?
beyond winning the World Grand Prix, Eurosport’s Dave Hendon examines when Ronnie O’Sullivan would announce his retirement from snooker as well as what ‘The Rocket’ might do with his life beyond the game. O’Sullivan maintained his excellent form this season by defeating Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final. The Rocket has, however, made hints that he may soon give up snooker.
When is a good time to end the celebration? Are you high and still enjoying yourself, or has it long since stopped being fun?
Ronnie O’Sullivan has thought about this paradox for a while. He finds it more difficult to answer because, throughout his career, he has had periods of extreme success and is still searching for a way out.
Now that he has competed in three events, he has won eight of them: the UK Championship, the Masters, and last night’s World Grand Prix, where he overcame a 4-0 deficit to defeat Judd Trump 10-7.
At 48, he has been in the game for almost 32 years, and he is undoubtedly at the top of his game. However, rumors about his retirement are still circulating, both from his personal remarks and from broader perspectives within the snooker community.
Ken Doherty suggested this week that the best player in history of the sport might retire following his or her seventh global championship in May, an unprecedented move from the top.
It may be alluring to put himself in such a situation, but if he can win eight world titles, why not a ninth? How about ten? He might leave a legacy that future generations won’t be able to inherit. And he might miss it just as much as his enormous following would.
O’Sullivan has consistently threatened to retire, and
More recently, in 2021, Alan McManus announced his retirement, but by then, he had made a name for himself as an excellent TV pundit. With his relegation from the circuit imminent, Fergal O’Brien, a professional since 1991, will retire at the end of this season. He joined the Eurosport commentary crew and intends to become a coach.
Take note of the fact that these retired players are still involved in snooker. They are familiar with and adore it. Even after pursuing careers in music and DJing, Steve Davis continues to appear at tournaments as a studio pundit, seemingly because the connection is too strong to be severed.
Naturally, Hendry returned after eight years and accepted a wildcard into the circuit. Jimmy White, a 61-year-old former competitor, has no intention of packing it in.
O’Sullivan
In the end, time catches up with us all. There will come a time when O’Sullivan does indeed step down. It will most likely only come from competitive professional athletes. He is able to write his own checks for ambassadorial, media, and exhibition activities. Even after he stops pursuing titles, he will continue to be a major presence in the sport.
O’Sullivan is known for his snooker. Whether he likes it or not, it defines him. It’s how he expresses himself, makes a solid livelihood, and finds fulfillment.
It has its ups and downs, just like any long-term relationship, but he keeps going back to it because the initial love he felt when he was young still exists in him.
Therefore, even if he does go, he won’t
