Snooker LIVE: Ronnie O’Sullivan sets retirement deadline as banned star returns
The World Snooker Championship is faspproaching, and Ronnie O’Sullivan remains a key talking point ahead of the action. The Rocket has been absent since January after a defeat to Chris Wakelin saw him snap his cue, and he has pulled out of several events in favour of an extended hiatus since.
It is unclear whether the seven-time world champion will look to bounce back at the Crucible later this week, with O’Sullivan delaying his decision . Though he has somewhat returned to the spotlight, talking openly about his retirement plans.
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Reigning World Snooker Championship winner Kyren Wilson has opened up on how he believes Ronnie O’Sullivan is ‘capable’ of returning to title-winning form at the Crucible.
Despite it being unclear as to whether ‘The Rocket’ will even compete, his rivals are weary of the threat he would pose if he did feature later this week.
Speaking to talkSPORT, Wilson explained: "He's obviously more than capable. He did it after having a year off and came back and won the World Championships. He's that good.
"I think it's key that obviously he keeps himself in good shape and he's still very hungry to win. You certainly can't write that man off."
Zhao Xintong is set to feature at the World Snooker Championship.
The former UK champion was one of 10 Chinese players embroiled in a match-fixing scandal and was given a 20-month ban as a result. The incidents occurred in March 2022, with Xintong also betting on matches during a three-year period.
He has now served his suspension and paid £7500 in costs, allowing him to return in Q Tour.
After beating Elliot Slessor to qualify to compete at the Crucible, Xintong said: “I’m very happy because I know the Crucible is very difficult to be back. I do it again, I’m so proud of myself. Hopefully I can really come back to being a top player. But I need more wins, so just try my best.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed that he could retire from snooker in two years’ time if he is not able to rediscover his spark.
Having not featured for the past few months, it is unclear whether the 49-year-old will complete in this month's World Championship.
Speaking to the Daily Mail, O’Sullivan opened up on his retirement plans, saying: “I’m not quitting just yet, but I will give myself two years to try and figure it out. I don’t want to finish my career feeling like I wasn’t really performing to the level that I know I can. I don’t have to win tournaments, but I just want to feel like I’m enjoying the game. I’d like to go out with a smile on my face.
"Do I think I can do it? Probably not if I’m being honest. I think it’s probably a bit too late in my career and I’m probably damaged goods in the form of a snooker player."
Daily Express
