‘Find me a nice bit of wood’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan STILL not happy with cue despite storming to 12-4 lead at Crucible
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has vowed to re-dedicate himself to snooker until the end of 2027.
And his two-year masterplan will involve getting a new cue, no coaching, no exhibitions and a laser-like focus towards competitive matches.
The World Snooker Championship draw has openly up kindly for the Rocket and he is ONE frame away from securing a record-extending 23rd Crucible quarterfinal.
The seven-time world champion leads Chinese qualifier Pang Junxu 12-4 after session two of three.
The No.5 seed responded wonderfully to losing frames nine and ten on Sunday afternoon – qualifier Pang, who had been 6-2 behind on Saturday, scored 87 and 62.
O’Sullivan hit successive breaks of 79, 80, 105, 135 and 62 as he won SIX frames in a row in blistering fashion.
Whatever happens this next week in Sheffield, there are positive signs he is not going to quit anytime soon.
First thing first, he has master cue-maker John Parris working on a new piece of equipment, given he snapped his favourite one in January in a moment of rage.
O’Sullivan said: “I’m keeping this current cue until maybe John Parris can make me another one that I feel comfortable with.
“I’ve tried about 20 so far. I’m a bit fussy with cues. I’m not one to get a cue and think: ‘Oh, I’ll persevere a bit.’
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“I like to feel like I can play with it straightaway. So John’s going to get busy. He’s out there chopping down trees as we speak to try and find me a nice bit of wood.”
About six years ago, before the start of the COVID pandemic, O’Sullivan claimed he received some bad coaching advice that “set the rot in”.
The sessions saw him “change my alignment”, lose his timing and “basically lost all connection with the cue”.
Ever the perfectionist, he is “now trying to unravel” what he was taught and he has promised not to listen to any outside gurus about technique.
Money-spinning exhibitions in China, Macau and Europe will now been blocked because they “can be a bit of a drain”.
In the past O’Sullivan said he preferred these non-sanctioned matches to actual competition but now he has done a U-Turn.
World Snooker Championship 2025
WE are BACK at the Crucible for another thrilling fortnight of snooker action!
There will be a new champion this year after reigning champ Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round after a stunning performance from Lei Peifan.
Ronnie O’Sullivan will take to the snooker table after missing recent tournaments, while world No 1 Judd Trump heads into the tournament as the favourite.
The likes of Shaun Murphy and John Higgins are also expected to be contenders.
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Snooker Explained
After one of the most challenging periods of his life, in which he withdrew from five events in 2025 on ‘medical grounds’, there is renewed optimism and positivity about next season.
O’Sullivan explained: “I’m just in a rebuilding process. I’m probably on the last leg of my career.
“And I’ve had to probably rebuild three or four times.
“I’ve got one more rebuild in me to try and compete with these young guys.
“This is a start. I will commit to two years, whether it is good or bad, give it all to the sport.
“See if I can turn it around and at least finish my career on a high.
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 latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
“If it goes well after two years and I feel like I am back somewhere to where I used to be, and how I know I can play the game, I will play for another four or five years.
“Because I love the game, I really do. It’s tough when you have struggled for a long period of time.
“It might take a month, six months or a year. I will have a proper good old go at it and that’s what I owe snooker.
“I feel like I have to put everything into this tournament. Once it’s over, I will reset, go again, and devote all my time to getting ready to play again.
“Over the last two or three years, I’ve done a lot of exhibitions and travelled a lot for various reasons.
“Hopefully in the next two or three years, I’d just shelve everything else and just focus on snooker and at least finish on some kind of good note.”