Ronnie O’Sullivan hints World Snooker Championship should leave iconic Crucible as players ‘want to be taken care of’
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN believes it could make sense for the World Snooker Championships to leave the Crucible.
The iconic Sheffield venue has hosted the tournament for the last 47 years.
But in recent years there has been debate over whether it should be moved, with some suggesting it has become too small and outdated for snooker’s number one event.
The Crucible is contracted to host the World Snooker Championships until 2027 but after that it could be taken around the world according to snooker chief Barry Hearn, who claimed that ultimately money talks.
O’Sullivan, 48, has revealed he would not be opposed to such plans as he always enjoys the treatment he receives when playing in tournaments abroad, and thinks his fellow players feel the same way.
Asked if the tournament should leave the Crucible, The Rocket told talkSPORT: “If it makes sense, we play some tournaments in China and Saudi Arabia and the players loved it. They got treated well and looked after well.
“It can move about – I don’t see no reason why it shouldn’t. I’m a snooker player and as a player you want to feel like you get taken care of when you’re at tournaments.
“Is it a nice environment? Are you enjoying the event? The playing side of it, you’ve got to play everywhere you go so it’s the other little bits.
“When we go abroad they do make a bit more of an effort with the event, with the players, they make it easier.
“The Crucible is a great venue, it’s been fantastic over the years. So wherever they take it I’m sure they’ll do a good job.
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“You can always have an event at the Crucible. You could do it one year and some other venues other years. You don’t have to say goodbye to the Crucible.
“It is a great venue to play at but it isn’t the best venue to play at. There are some which are better. You just have to move on sometimes. I know people don’t like it but at some point you have to.”
O’Sullivan has won the World Snooker Championship seven times – a record he shares with Stephen Hendry.
But he has made no secret of his dissatisfaction with some venues in the UK, slamming Ally Pally as a “dirty, cold, disgusting venue”.