It is now 30 years since Ronnie O’Sullivan first threatened to retire from professional snooker, but he continues to create the forms of a lifetime.
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.Stephen Hendry worries Ronnie Oand#039;
Sullivan ahead of WCAnd yet, the 48-year-old continues to bemoan her game, regularly hinting that she is about to drop 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 pundits 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 Oand#039;Sullivan won the 2013 World Championship just months after the break.
snooker 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 great start to his sabbatical at the pig farm, but the break didn’t last.The following January, he admitted that he would miss the sport and was in the crowd at the Masters to see his two rivals Mark Selby and Graeme Dott collide.
And a few weeks later he was back in action to defend his world title at the Crucible.O’Sullivan’s latest nods come amid a hectic schedule that will see him play in tournaments in Saudi Arabia and China as part of his Crucible this year. Indeed, his father recently accused World Snooker Tour bosses of allegedly flogging prizes to boost viewing figures.
He branded Barry Hearn a tyrant after his son qualified for the World Open in Yushan by beating Alfie Burden 5-3 in Burnley on Tuesday. Ronnie Snr also added that Hearn “would have been absolutely gutted if Ronnie had hit him”..
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