December 18th 2024.
Professional snooker player Ronnie O'Sullivan has made it clear that he has no plans of retiring anytime soon. In fact, he hopes to continue playing for another 10 years. Despite a lackluster season so far, with no final appearances and early exits in two major tournaments, O'Sullivan remains optimistic and has rediscovered his love for the game.
At 49 years old, O'Sullivan is still ranked number three in the world and has won two big ranking events in the previous season. He admits that he was not satisfied with his performance last season, even though he won a total of five tournaments. However, since working with coach Lee Walker, he feels like he is gradually returning to his top form and is confident that the results will follow suit.
In a recent interview, O'Sullivan shared, "The last time I enjoyed playing snooker like I have done in the last couple of months was when I was only 14 years old. I'm actually loving the game now." He went on to explain how he took a break from the sport and analyzed his game, which ultimately led to his renewed enjoyment and passion for snooker.
O'Sullivan is hopeful that he will return to his winning ways at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship this week. He also mentioned that he has been playing well in the last three tournaments, but has been leaving too many easy chances for his opponents. However, he has been working on tightening up his game and minimizing these mistakes.
When asked to rate his recent performance, the seven-time world champion admitted that he had hit an all-time low. He said, "The start of this season and the whole of last season, I would say it's probably about a 4 out of 10. Really bad. Maybe even a 3, as bad as it has ever been." Despite this, he managed to win five tournaments, which proves that he can still achieve success even when he is not playing at his best.
Reflecting on his long career, O'Sullivan stated, "I never panic, I never worry. I'm not really bothered either. If I was bothered, I might be worried. I'm not bothered because I know I'm on the back end of my career, so it's less important now. I'm just enjoying it." He also mentioned that he is not thinking about retirement anymore and plans to keep playing for at least another decade.
As the biggest attraction in the sport, O'Sullivan is aware of his star power and the opportunities it brings. He has business interests in Asia and the Middle East and wants to continue building his brand and legacy. He said, "I've set a new goal. If I can just stay on the tour, even if I fell off, they'd probably give me a wildcard. But I'm enjoying everything about snooker." He also added that he wants to continue enjoying the game and is willing to sacrifice results if necessary.
In conclusion, O'Sullivan's love for snooker has been reignited, and he is determined to make the most out of his remaining years in the sport. He still believes that he can put in some good performances and entertain his fans, but he also acknowledges that anything can happen. With a positive mindset and a newfound enjoyment for the game, O'Sullivan is ready to take on whatever challenges come his way.
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