Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals globe-trotting plans after shock World Snooker Championship KO – and may not return for months
GLOBE-TROTTING Ronnie O’Sullivan jets off to four countries in five months and he may not be back on a UK snooker table in a hurry.
The Rocket, 48, claimed he considered not competing at this year’s Crucible until being persuaded to do so by a new gaming sponsor.
In the end, his quest for title No.8 was stopped in the quarter-finals by Stuart Bingham – who won 13-10 – and the world No.1 status was handed to Mark Allen.
O’Sullivan will now head off on a lucrative exhibition circuit across Europe and the Far East before beginning next season with events in Shanghai and Riyadh.
Like it or not, as a seven-time world champion, O’Sullivan knows his true value and if you want him, you have to pay a premium.
And in a swipe at baize bosses – as he often likes to do in such moments – he will play exactly when he wants to.
O’Sullivan said: “I’m looking forward to going to China in 10 days and playing Ding (Junhui) in some challenge matches.
“I’ll be away for two-and-a-half to three weeks doing my work stuff out there.
“Then off to Finland for three nights. And off to Bulgaria. A busy three or four weeks playing, which is great.
“I’m going to be busy but the most important thing is to feel like you want to play and get your cue out of the case.
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“For the first time in two years I don’t mind getting my cue out and I like the sound of the balls.
“I’ve been enjoying it a bit more and that’s the most important thing to me.”
O’Sullivan, who won five events this season and banked more than £1.2million in prize money, may not appear on home soil until late October or early November.
He said: “I’m contracted to do certain events in China.
“I’m contracted to go to Saudi Arabia. Obviously they’ve got first dibs then it’s like spending time at home with the family.
“There’s only so many days I am allowing myself to be away from home. I can’t do it all really.
“I think it’s being your own boss. Listen, WST is a commercial business and I decided I had to become commercial just to enjoy being on the tour.
“I don’t just turn up willy-nilly to events. There’s a tax to be paid.
“If people are prepared to pay it, I’ll get my cue out of my case.
“If they’re not, then I’m quite content to never ever play again and move on and do other stuff.
“You only get one life and I want to fulfil everything to the maximum.
“But I’m also aware of my value and that’s my time and what I bring to the sport.
“As long as those needs are met, I’ll keep playing.
“If they’re not, I’ll be hanging up the waistcoat and hanging up the cue and doing some other stuff.
“At the moment there’s enough things going on to keep me interested in the game.”
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our Ronnie O’Sullivan articles here.