Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion in snooker, has expressed his frustration with the sport’s governing body and says he may consider quitting if he is forced to reduce his time in China. O’Sullivan is facing disciplinary action for publicly criticizing the World Snooker Tour (WST) after five players were threatened with punishment for participating in an exhibition event in Macau instead of the Northern Ireland Open. In an interview with BBC Two, O’Sullivan revealed that he expects to face severe consequences for his remarks but feels that he has no other choice but to accept the situation.
Although disciplinary action against the five players was avoided when the Macau event was rescheduled with WST approval, O’Sullivan remains concerned about the restrictions placed on players’ participation in events in China. These events are highly profitable for players like O’Sullivan, who can attract large crowds and earn substantial prize money. He emphasized that if he is unable to continue playing in China, he may step away from snooker altogether and switch to playing Chinese 8-ball pool instead.
In response to O’Sullivan’s comments, WST stated that while they support him building his profile in China and playing in private exhibition events, their priority is to protect the interests of all players. WST also clarified that the prize money in snooker has returned to pre-Covid levels, amounting to around £14 million this season. They acknowledged the appeal of major events in China but emphasized the significance of the Triple Crown events hosted in the UK. The World Championship, UK Championship, and the Masters offer the highest prize money for winners in the sport.
O’Sullivan’s remarks highlight a recurring issue in snooker where top players feel underappreciated and desire more recognition for their achievements. He expressed his desire to continue playing snooker for several more years but stressed that if he is forced into a situation where he can’t pursue his preferred schedule, he won’t adhere to the same tournament commitments as other players. O’Sullivan’s recent absence from various events, such as the Championship League and the European Masters, has been attributed to taking care of his mental health.
As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how the WST will handle O’Sullivan’s criticism and potential disciplinary action. The snooker world will be watching closely to see if a resolution can be reached that satisfies all parties involved and ensures the continued success and popularity of the sport.
