Ronnie O’Sullivan Opens Up: Why He’ll Never Be Friends with Snooker Rivals Higgins and Williams – And What’s Next After Retirement
Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of snooker’s most iconic players, has opened up about his relationship with his Class of 92 contemporaries, John Higgins and Mark Williams. Despite being part of the same era and facing each other numerous times in their careers, O’Sullivan has made it clear that he doesn’t see them as close friends. He revealed that while he respects both players, he’s never been one to form tight bonds with his fellow professionals.
In a recent interview, O’Sullivan explained that his lifestyle and preferences keep him distanced from his peers. “Mark and John are probably better friends with each other than I am with them,” he said. “I don’t really get close to anyone on the snooker circuit because I don’t hang around at tournaments. I’d rather be in the gym, go running, or enjoy nice meals than socialize with the players.” While Higgins and Williams are known to bond off the table, O’Sullivan prefers to keep his personal and professional lives separate.
Despite his dominance in the sport, O’Sullivan has always been clear that snooker isn’t the center of his life. He has admitted to avoiding discussions about the game during his downtime and even confessed that he rarely watches snooker outside of tournaments. For the seven-time World Champion, snooker is a passion, but not something he wants to revolve his entire life around. “I get bored talking about rankings and the ins-and-outs of World Snooker,” he said. “I like to keep my life away from the sport.”
Looking ahead, O’Sullivan expressed his desire to continue playing, but only if it suits his lifestyle. “I play snooker as a hobby now,” he explained. “It’s not a job for me, and I have to enjoy it outside of the rankings and pressure. If it ever feels like the ‘juice ain’t worth the squeeze,’ I’ll probably take up something like China 8-ball.”
Beyond snooker, O’Sullivan is also considering a career shift post-retirement. He sees himself moving into the business world, where he’d like to work as part of a team. “I don’t want to do something solo,” he said. “I want to be involved in a team where everyone pulls their weight.” For O’Sullivan, the future might hold exciting ventures outside of sport.
