**Ronnie O’Sullivan Dispels Retirement Talk Amid Pursuit of Crucible Glory**
Ronnie O’Sullivan, widely considered one of snooker’s greatest talents, has clarified that he plans to continue playing professionally for at least another two years, even as he acknowledges ongoing concerns about his form. O’Sullivan’s admissions come on the heels of a decisive win at the World Snooker Championship, where he defeated China’s Pang Junxu 13-4 to secure a place in another quarter-final at Sheffield’s historic Crucible Theatre.
Despite being critical of his own recent play, the seven-time world champion remains unwavering in his commitment to the sport. After his victory over Pang, O’Sullivan addressed speculation about his potential retirement, stressing that he’s ‘playing the long game’ in his ongoing journey on the circuit. The 49-year-old told SportsBoom, “So whatever happens here, it’s not going to make any difference to how I approach the next two years. It’s just the little breakthroughs I’m looking for.”
O’Sullivan’s performance against Pang showcased flashes of his best snooker, with 11 breaks over 50 and two memorable centuries of 105 and 135. After surging to a 12-4 advantage, he wrapped up the match in swift fashion, requiring less than 17 minutes on the Monday evening to claim the solitary frame necessary for victory. This latest triumph has set up a last-eight showdown against Si Jiahui, making this O’Sullivan’s extraordinary 23rd appearance in a Crucible quarter-final.
Interestingly, O’Sullivan has not always felt at his best throughout the tournament, and his reflections after the win revealed a rare sense of vulnerability. Speaking candidly to the BBC during the championship, he admitted that his recent break from the sport—a deliberate absence that saw him miss the Masters earlier in the year—was both enjoyable and necessary. “I’ve enjoyed the little bit of time off that I had,” O’Sullivan remarked. However, he openly confessed, “I still don’t feel great about playing, not that I don’t love the game because I do … It has kind of scared me, if I am to be truthful.”
The context around O’Sullivan’s form is crucial, especially given the current state of the draw in the World Championship. Several high-profile rivals, including Mark Selby, Kyren Wilson, Neil Robertson and Mark Allen, have exited from his half of the bracket, prompting commentators and fans to suggest that O’Sullivan might have a relatively unobstructed road to the final. Yet, true to form, the snooker icon has downplayed any talk of an ‘easy’ route, saying, “I’ve played this so many times and the draw opens up and you get beat … The guy that wins it is usually the guy that deserves to win it.”
Such humility and perspective seem to be central to O’Sullivan’s current approach. While he admits his form has made him anxious—at one point stating, “I have never felt like this since I started playing when I was eight”—he also remains focused on making the incremental improvements necessary to maintain his competitiveness. O’Sullivan added, “Maybe it has caused me to lose my nerve and my bottle to want to go out there and play. It has been a difficult time, to be honest.”
Nevertheless, his desire to compete at the highest level remains strong. O’Sullivan has not ruled out extending his playing days even further, hinting he could see himself contending until 2029 if his form and motivation align. He explained, “I’ve had it in my head that I would love to play for at least another two years, possibly three, possibly four if I could really push the envelope as far as I could go.”
This latest chapter in Ronnie O’Sullivan’s storied career highlights the complexities and challenges faced by elite athletes as they navigate the later stages of their professions. For fans and followers of snooker, O’Sullivan’s candour offers a rare glimpse into the pressures and passions that drive him, even as he chases a potential record eighth world title at the Crucible. The journey forward promises intrigue, uncertainty, and, as ever with O’Sullivan, plenty of drama on snooker’s biggest stage.