January 14th 2024.
On Sunday night, Ronnie O'Sullivan achieved yet another milestone in his legendary career. He won his eighth Masters title, extending his own record and solidifying his status as one of the greatest snooker players of all time. However, after the exhilaration of the victory, the Rocket admitted that he was feeling exhausted and in need of a break from the competitive circuit.
At 48 years old, O'Sullivan became the oldest player to ever win the Masters, a feat that only adds to his already impressive list of accomplishments. He is also the youngest player to have won the tournament, a record he set earlier in his career. And just as he is the oldest and youngest player to win the Masters, he holds the same titles at the UK Championship after his victory in York last month. O'Sullivan has also claimed the Shanghai Masters this season, but he confesses that the constant travel and demanding schedule of exhibition tournaments have taken a toll on him.
"I'm a bit played-out, to be honest," O'Sullivan shared with Eurosport. "I had such a strong push from September to December, giving my all in every tournament. I exceeded my own expectations and deep down, I was satisfied with that. It's not easy to constantly motivate yourself at that level."
Unfortunately, the World Snooker Tour calendar doesn't offer any respite for O'Sullivan as the season runs until May. However, the Rocket has made the decision to take a two-month break from tournaments after the World Grand Prix, which starts on Monday in Leicester. He plans to participate in the event as he has earned his spot as one of the top 32 players, but he will skip all other tournaments in order to rest and recharge.
"I'm looking forward to getting on the exhibition circuit and playing more exhibitions. They're fun and a nice break from the intensity of competitive snooker," O'Sullivan explained. "Too much pressure can be detrimental, and I need to relax and have fun to keep my game at its best. I have a busy schedule in the upcoming months, and I don't want to risk burnout. This season has already been amazing for me, even if I had just won the Shanghai Masters. But to also win the UK Championship and now the Masters, it's been truly incredible."
If O'Sullivan sticks to his plan, he will miss out on the Wuhan Open, German Masters, Welsh Open, and Players Championship. However, he has his sights set on an even greater accomplishment - winning all three Triple Crown tournaments in the same season. With the Masters and UK Championship titles already under his belt, O'Sullivan has a chance to make history at the World Championship. But he admits that he needs to build up his confidence in order to truly believe he can win at the Crucible.
"By February or March, I usually have a good idea of whether my game is strong enough to win the Worlds," O'Sullivan shared. "Right now, I wouldn't say I'm confident enough to win it. Of course, I still have a chance, but I need to work on my game and build up my confidence. In longer sessions, you have to learn to pace yourself and win matches in second gear. But at the moment, I'm giving my all just to get results. It's tough, but I'm a competitor, and I'll keep fighting until the end."
In the end, O'Sullivan's success and determination serve as a warning to his rivals. After his dominant performance against Shaun Murphy in the semi-finals, O'Sullivan couldn't resist taking a dig at his fellow players, calling them "slow brains." And with Ali Carter, his opponent in the final, admitting that he fancies his chances against the Rocket, it's clear that O'Sullivan is still the man to beat in the snooker world.
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