Ronnie O’Sullivan saw his 2026 World Championship hopes ended by John Higgins on Monday, but he stills sees himself as snooker’s box-office draw – and will only play if the money is there
Ronnie O’Sullivan has laid out his demands(Image: Sam Bloxham/Getty Images)
Defiant Ronnie O’Sullivan has warned global snooker chiefs to get the cheque book out or he won’t play. The seven-time world champion is adamant he is not a slave to the game and cash will dictate his choice to turn up for future events.
O”Sullivan gave his searing assessment in response to the brutal cancellation of the lucrative Saudi Arabia Masters, worth a staggering £2.3million, just two years into a 10-year deal. The Rocket also has a Snooker Academy in Riyadh and, whether it’s Saudi or anywhere else, the price must be right for him to show up.
O’Sullivan stated: “Any tournament I go to, they all know they have to get the cheque book out, so where ever I go that’s standard. If that stops then I stop.
“Wherever it is, Saudi, Qatar, China, here, whatever it is, I always make sure I’ve got some sort of fee coming because otherwise people know that I won’t turn up.”
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Pressed on whether his Academy would be affected, O’Sullivan added: “I have other options, so I”m not really worried. Hopefully Saudi still want to do some stuff, but we’ll have to wait and see, then I’ll make my decisions based on whatever happens there.”
O’Sullivan has been selective with events in the past couple of years and that is set to continue into next season. He said: “It depends, if my sponsors are on board, then I’ll play, but I”m not two-feet in like pretty much most of the guys.
“I’m just grateful to be playing, and enjoying my playing and that’s it. And if I don’t enjoy it, I’ll take time out. We’ll see. It’s too hard to start speculating about next year.
“I’m just enjoying myself I’m having good fun, I’m just enjoying life and whatever I’m doing, so win, lose, draw, there’s always a safety net below. I’m not two feet in. I try my nuts off when I’m out there, but I also appreciate that I”m not a slave to the game.”
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O’Sullivan was knocked out of the World Championship following an incredible encounter against John Higgins. The Londoner’s hopes of an eighth World title were smoked by the Scot, but, despite punching a table and banging his cue during the 13-12 collapse, he claims he can cope the losses better these days due his fresh outlook.
He said: “I have to take a result like that and I can probably handle that a lot better than if I’m all two feet in, that would really hurt to lose a game, but I feel like I’ve had a good workout, I’ve had a good game and I’ve kind of surprised myself. I can still play a bit. I enjoyed every minute, it was amazing, I had some good fun out there.”
O’Sullivan stated he was heading back to Ireland after the Higgins loss, but a quick-fire return to Sheffield remains on the cards. He is scheduled to make his debut in the World Seniors Championship at the Crucible, which begins next Wednesday after the main tournament finishes two days earlier.
O’Sullivan said: “I”ll go back to Ireland and just chill there and come back whenever I’ve got to play. It’s work, mate, got to go to work. Got bills to pay. Got a lot of people on the payroll.”
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