Snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan has emphasized that he will be the one to determine when he steps away from the sport following his withdrawal from the Wuhan Open due to health issues. This decision comes after O’Sullivan reversed his earlier comments criticizing the skill level of the younger generation of players.
The 49-year-old was slated to face Allan Taylor in the tournament’s first round but opted out, fueling speculation about the potential conclusion of his snooker career. Despite concerns about retirement, O’Sullivan has displayed remarkable performance by winning five out of his last seven matches.
Having clinched seven world titles, O’Sullivan is renowned as one of the sport’s all-time greats. His recent accomplishments include achieving two 147 breaks in a single match against Chris Wakelin at the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters.
Although rumors swirl about his retirement, O’Sullivan intends to participate in the upcoming English Open and has refuted claims of an imminent exit from the sport. He emphasized, “I’ve always said I’d be the first to let you know when I’m done, finished or gone or whatever it is.”
Previously critical of the new players’ standards, O’Sullivan acknowledged a change in perspective by acknowledging the presence of “fantastic players” among the younger generation, affecting his ability to dominate games as he did in the past. He stated, “I’m not done. I’m not definitely on a downward curve. At my age playing these youngsters, they’re some fantastic players.”
Looking ahead, O’Sullivan recognizes the competition posed by players like Kyren Wilson, Judd Trump, and Zhao Xintong, positioning himself as a contender in the tournaments while acknowledging the unpredictability of the sport.