Ronnie O’Sullivan sets 2028 deadline for technical issues
Ronnie O’Sullivan has set a deadline of 2028 to resolve ongoing technical issues with his game, stating he will consider walking away from snooker if he cannot return to his natural playing style, reports BritPanorama.
The seven-time world champion, now 50, reflected on the last three years as “pretty awful, confidence-wise,” and indicated this period represents his “last throw of the dice.”
“I’ll commit to two years and try and work on it so I can prolong my career, basically,” O’Sullivan remarked. “Because playing how I was playing or cueing how I was cueing, there was just going to be no longevity in it.”
O’Sullivan attributed his struggles to a coaching experience that he claims significantly damaged his technique. He made his competitive return at the World Open in Yushan, where he defeated Scotland’s Ross Muir 5-1 in the opening round, nearly achieving a maximum break but concluding with a score of 113.
His attempt at a record-extending 18th career 147 ended prematurely when he fouled on the penultimate black during the fifth frame. Although O’Sullivan sealed the match with a break of 114, his performance was marked by distractions, including a fly landing on the cue ball and a brief exit to address an issue with his waistcoat’s logo seam.
Speaking to the World Snooker Tour, O’Sullivan highlighted the emotional challenges stemming from his technical difficulties, revealing a frustrating cycle of temporary progress followed by setbacks. “I have a little breakthrough and then it goes and it’s just so frustrating,” he stated. “So, I’m hopeful one day and then I’m really unhopeful the next day.”
Despite his limited tournament appearances this year, the 50-year-old insisted he has been diligently working to improve, noting, “It’s not like I’ve got my feet up while everyone’s playing. I’m going to try and get back to my natural instinct of playing and try and re-coach myself in some sort of way with the help of other people. I can’t do it on my own.”
O’Sullivan competed in just four matches before his trip to Yushan, where he received considerable attention from Chinese fans and journalists. He enjoyed a hot pot meal with reigning world champion Zhao Xintong and will next face fellow Dubai resident Matthew Selt in the last 32.
Reflecting on the modern game, O’Sullivan downplayed the significance of 147 breaks, stating, “A 147 these days, they are like ten a penny now, I suppose. But it’d have been nice to get one here.”
