Ronnie O’Sullivan suffers defeat in World Grand Prix
Ronnie O’Sullivan suffered a 5-3 defeat to Xiao Guodong in the last 16 of the World Grand Prix held in Hong Kong on Thursday, prompting a stark self-assessment from the seven-time world champion, reports BritPanorama.
This loss extends O’Sullivan’s wait for a ranking title, which now stretches back to January 2024. The defeat has ignited speculation regarding the future of the snooker legend, with some suggesting he may consider retirement.
His recent form has raised concerns, with O’Sullivan achieving only two victories in his last four tournaments leading up to this event. Those victories came against Long Zehuang at the German Masters and Joe O’Connor in the opening round of the current competition.
Despite the setback, O’Sullivan dismissed the notion that his struggles are due to a lack of match practice, stating he felt comfortable at the table. “It’s just my bad is a lot badder than it used to be, and my good is not as good,” he explained. “There was no rustiness, I felt relaxed.”
The 50-year-old acknowledged the need to manage his frustrations while continuing to compete, saying, “Deep down, I enjoy playing. I have to accept [I’m not as good as I was] and find a way to keep playing without it driving me crazy.” He expressed a desire to prioritise more time with his children during their school holidays over a hectic tournament schedule.
Despite participating in eight tournaments this season, O’Sullivan has shifted his priorities away from solely chasing silverware, expressing confidence in securing wild cards if he slips down the rankings. “I’m sure I’d get wild cards if I fell out of the top 32,” he remarked.
Xiao’s victory marked a significant milestone, being his first win against O’Sullivan in a full ranking event after four previous attempts. The 36-year-old expressed mixed feelings about defeating someone he regards as an idol, stating, “I want him to get to finals, win championships, I want him to do well.”
Xiao now advances to the quarter-finals to face Si Jiahui.
For O’Sullivan, this moment in Hong Kong serves as a poignant reminder of the relentless march of time, a narrative in which even the most celebrated figures face their own diminishing returns amidst the changing tides of sport.
