Two of the biggest names in snooker have given their verdict on Ronnie O’Sullivan as the Rocket weighs up whether to play at the World Championship. The seven-time world champion has said he will leave it as late as possible before deciding whether to participate in the tournament, which begins on April 19.
O’Sullivan has endured a troubled season, pulling out of a string of tournaments, including the Masters, for medical reasons. His last competitive appearance came at the non-ranking Championship League in January when he broke his cue in anger and withdrew before his final group match.
Both fans and rival players are hoping O’Sullivan plays at the Crucible for a record-extending 33rd time. That includes reigning world champion Kyren Wilson, who said: “Absolutely. Whenever Ronnie plays in an event, it certainly boosts ticket sales, it boosts viewing figures. Not only that, I enjoy competing against him. Fingers crossed, he’s there.”
Fellow ‘Class of 92’ member John Higgins has wished O’Sullivan well and is keeping his fingers crossed that the Rocket will be in Sheffield.
“Of course, the tournament wouldn’t be the same if Ronnie doesn’t turn up,” said the four-time world champion. “We’ll just have to wait and see. Hopefully, he’s looking after himself and it would be great if he’s there.
“It’s not great for the other players because he’s one of the favourites. But every tournament Ronnie enters, it always adds a bit of glamour to it.”
There have been promising signs that O’Sullivan will play at the Worlds after he was spotted practising with a new cue in Saudi Arabia. He recently broke his silence, telling TNT Sports: “I don’t know yet. I haven’t made my mind up, I’ll probably make a decision on maybe the 17th or 18th of April.
“I don’t know when I’m due to play my first match, so I’m going to try and leave myself as much time as possible. I’d love to be able to go there and play, I’d love to be able to have the confidence to be able to get my cue out and go and play snooker.
“I just need to give myself as much time as possible to see where I’m at with it, and see whether it’s something I’m going to be able to do.”
Addressing his struggles in recent years, he added: “I’ve tried to play my way through. I’ve had moments and glimpses where I thought, ‘OK, this is OK’.
“But on the whole, probably three-and-a-half years out of the last four have been pretty terrible for me and that’s kind of took its toll. I kind of got a bit tired. It kind of ground me down to the point where I kind of lost the love for the game.”
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