It has been 30 years since Ronnie O’Sullivan first threatened to retire from professional snooker, but continues to create the shapes of life. Last Sunday saw “The Rocket” beat Judd Trump to be crowned Grand Prix World Champion and has already added to his record Triple Crown haul this season, lifting the British and Masters titles.
And yet the 48-year-old still complains about her game and regularly hints that she plans to cut the hint. After his latest success at Leicester, he publicly questioned how long he could continue because he was no longer enjoying his snooker.
But fans and experts have long taken O’Sullivan’s retirement tips with a grain of salt. He was only 18 years old and two years into his professional career when he first announced his intention to retire after losing the British Championship in 1994 to Ken Doherty.
At the time, his comments were seen as the thoughtless reaction of a teenager not yet accustomed to the ups and downs of elite sport. But some 18 years and endless threats of retirement later, it appeared the Englishman had finally carried out his apparent intention to retire in 2012.
Ronnie O’Sullivan won the 2013 World Championship just months after the break. snooker (Image: Getty)
He announced he would be taking a year off from the sport, prompting supporters to fear he would never return. O’Sullivan got off to a good start to his sabbatical at the pig farm, but the break didn’t last.
The following January, he admitted he missed the sport and was in the crowd at the Masters watching his two rivals Mark Selby and Graeme Dott clash. And a few weeks later he was back in action to defend his world title at the Crucible..
