“How many people can say they are the most successful at their job ever? I really have to pat myself on the back because I don’t, I’m hard on myself. I’ve had the greatest career of any snooker player.” – Ronnie O’Sullivan after reaching the second round at The Crucible
Last updated: 04/25/24 3:32 p.m
Ronnie O’Sullivan wants to try to win a world title at the age of 50
Ronnie O’Sullivan says he has “broken the rules of snooker” as he aims for a record eighth world title at the age of 48 and wants to contribute to the sport’s “greatest career”.
O’Sullivan talks to him BBC After beating Jackson Page 10-1 in the first round in Sheffield on Thursday afternoon, he is currently tied for seven Crucible crowns with Stephen Hendry.
The Rocket has won more ranking tournaments than any other player – his tally of 41 is five more than the 36 achieved by Hendry – and believes he could be challenging for a world title at the age of 50.
O’Sullivan faces Ryan Day in the second round of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible, with the round of 16 starting on Sunday
O’Sullivan said: “I know the ability is there, it’s just a matter of finding the right formula sometimes. I’ve already broken the rules of snooker.”
“I’m still going at 48, 49 and seeing what’s possible now. How much longer can you hold out? Can I win a World Cup at 50?”
“Who knows? I’m probably the only player who can do that, but let’s see, let’s do an experiment.”
“I had the greatest career of any snooker player”
O’Sullivan has already won five tournaments this season, won his eighth career Masters and UK Championship titles and triumphed at the World Grand Prix, Shanghai Masters and World Masters of Snooker.
He won his first ranking title in 1993, defeating Hendry 10-6 in the final of the British Championships, and is currently at the top of the world rankings, 32 years after his professional career.
“To do what I did this season, what I’ve done throughout my entire career… I’ve been doing this for 30 years. I had the best career of any snooker player,” he added.
“How many people can say they have ever been the best or most successful at their job? I really have to pat myself on the back because I don’t do that, I’m hard on myself.”
O’Sullivan: “The more difficult the test, the more I see it as a challenge.” I have trained hard all my life and am mentally strong and ready to play at any time.
O’Sullivan said he “played terribly for two years” but now feels in good hands after linking up with coach Nic Barrow.
“Statistically speaking, no one has achieved what I have achieved at a table. That would.” [my best season statistically] but definitely not playful.
“I played terribly for two years, but I know how to win. This is something I am blessed with. I’m not lying when I say I don’t play well. A lot of people think I am, but I’m not a liar. I say what I feel.
“I haven’t really been coaching smoothly, but I’ve started working with Nic Barrow, a coach who knows my game inside and out, since I’ve decided I can’t coach myself anymore.”
“I have felt as good at the training tables in the last few weeks as I have in the last six to seven years.”
“I just play. The more difficult the exam, the more I see it as a challenge. I have trained hard my whole life and am mentally strong and ready to play at any time.”
O’Sullivan says he is playing as well in training as he has in six or seven years
World Cup a triumph for the optimistic O’Sullivan?
Seven-time snooker world champion Stephen Hendry talks to the BBC:
“That’s probably as optimistic as I’ve ever heard Ronnie in an interview about his own achievements and his assessment of his place in the game – and I like it.”
“I don’t like it when he downplays what he has achieved and how good he is. He is the greatest there ever was. Why not tell everyone he’s the greatest there ever was?”
“I think this World Cup could be a procession. It looks like Ronnie is in and the draw begins.”
“Two players in his half of the draw who have beaten him this season – Mark Williams and Zhang Anda – are both out. He may have Judd Trump in the semifinals, but he hasn’t beaten Ronnie since 2020.”
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O’Sullivan says if the World Snooker Championship were moved to Saudi Arabia he would find the tournament more convenient
Second round draw – Best of 25 frames (seeding number in brackets)
David Gilbert vs. (16) Robert Milkins
Stephen Maguire vs (8) Shaun Murphy
Joe O’Connor vs. (12) Kyren Wilson
(13) John Higgins or Jamie Jones vs. (4) Mark Allen
(3) Judd Trump vs. (14) Tom Ford
Like Jones vs. Si Jiahui
Jack Lisowski vs. Stuart Bingham
Ryan Day vs (2) Ronnie O’Sullivan
World Snooker Championship 2024 – Second round schedule
Thursday, April 25th
13 o’clock
David Gilbert vs. Robert Milkins
19 o’clock
Judd Trump vs. Tom Ford
Friday, April 26th
10 am
David Gilbert vs. Robert Milkins
Like Jones vs. Si Jiahui
2:30 p.m
Stephen Maguire vs Shaun Murphy
Judd Trump vs. Tom Ford
19 o’clock
David Gilbert vs. Robert Milkins
Like Jones vs. Si Jiahui
Saturday, April 27th
10 am
Stephen Maguire vs Shaun Murphy
Judd Trump vs. Tom Ford
2:30 p.m
John Higgins/Jamie Jones vs. Mark Allen
Like Jones vs. Si Jiahui
19 o’clock
Joe O’Connor vs. Kyren Wilson
Jack Lisowski vs. Stuart Bingham
Sunday April 28th
10 am
Stephen Maguire vs Shaun Murphy
Ryan Day vs Ronnie O’Sullivan
2:30 p.m
John Higgins/Jamie Jones vs. Mark Allen
Jack Lisowski vs. Stuart Bingham
19 o’clock
Joe O’Connor vs. Kyren Wilson
Ryan Day vs Ronnie O’Sullivan
Monday, April 29th
13 o’clock
Joe O’Connor vs. Kyren Wilson
Ryan Day vs Ronnie O’Sullivan
19 o’clock
John Higgins/Jamie Jones vs. Mark Allen
Jack Lisowski vs. Stuart Bingham
Quarter finals – Tuesday, April 30th – Wednesday, May 1st
Semifinals – Thursday May 2nd, Friday May 3rd, Saturday May 4th
final – Sunday May 5th and Monday May 6th
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