Ronnie O’Sullivan Rekindles Passion for Snooker: ‘I’m Loving the Game Like Never Before!

Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world snooker champion, is rediscovering his passion for the game, even as success on the table eludes him this season. Despite not yet reaching a final and missing key ranking events such as the Northern Ireland Open, Wuhan Open, and Scottish Open, O’Sullivan remains upbeat about his love for the sport and his future in it.

“The Rocket,” who captured five titles in 2023 despite feeling detached from the game, has undergone a significant shift in mindset. Reflecting on his recent form, he revealed, “The last time I enjoyed playing snooker this much was when I was 14. It’s quite weird. I played awful last year and pretty terrible at the start of this year, but I still managed to win five tournaments. Now, I’ve taken a step back, figured out some things, and I’m genuinely loving it again.”

O’Sullivan admits that his renewed enjoyment stems from changes in his approach. While his recent performances have been more open and creative, he is now working on tightening his game to reduce easy chances for his opponents. He credits his coach, Lee Walker, for helping him maintain this fresh perspective. “I told Lee, just keep me enjoying this for 10 years. Even if the results don’t come, I’ll take that because I’ve had my share of success. I don’t need to prove anything to anyone.”

At 48, O’Sullivan is more focused on balancing his life on and off the table. “I’ve got exciting things happening away from snooker, but I still enjoy getting my cue out. People still want to see me play, and I’d like to think I can still deliver some great performances. But who knows what the future holds?”

As he prepares to face Ding Junhui at the Riyadh Snooker Championship, O’Sullivan’s main goal is not chasing trophies but preserving his passion for the sport. With a renewed outlook, he is determined to make the most of what he describes as a “good combination” of enjoyment and opportunity in this stage of his career.