Ronnie O’Sullivan makes brutally honest retirement vow and sets World Championship record deadline

Ronnie O’Sullivan has admitted that playing elite snooker has become ‘draining’ and that his career could end in two years.

The seven-time world champion is now 50 years old and he has been honest about how he’s feeling picking up a cue these days.

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O’Sullivan is currently playing at the Shanghai Masters, beginning his 35th straight snooker season with a first-round victory.

But after his win over Chinese wildcard Liu Linhao, he admitted that he’s finding things a lot tougher at his older age.

The Rocket said: “I’m glad I’m at the end of my career and I don’t have to face these young Chinese talents much. Because they’re just like machines. They’re just phenomenal.

“I have to be realistic. I’m 50 now. I play for two hours and I need to lay down for two or three hours.

“It’s very hard for me to get going again. This game, alright, you don’t have to run around on a pitch.

“Mentally, you have to concentrate. It’s draining. When you’re young, you can just keep going for an hour and not get tired.

“Now, I need to have a lie down. You see your grandparents sleeping in their chairs. You get a little bit tired.

“I have to be realistic about what’s possible. Just have to accept it. Especially when you see talent like that, you can’t fight it.”

World Championship deadline

O’Sullivan has also revealed that he’ll only be playing at the World Snooker Championship on two more occasions in his career.

And that means he only has until 2028 to lift an eighth title and become the outright record holder for most wins.

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“I’d love to win another World Championship,” he admitted. “I’ve got two attempts at it [the record].

“For three years previous I wasn’t cueing well enough. So I feel like if I can find a bit of cueing and some form in Sheffield, then who knows?

“If I don’t do it this year or the next year, then it’ll definitely never happen.”

The snooker legend added: “I’m pleased with my career. I’m happy with how things have gone.

“I will try to enjoy these next two years. I’ll reassess it in 2028.

“If things are going really well and I surprise myself, then maybe you can extend it.”

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No plan to feature in qualifiers

The Rocket could end up struggling to get into the World Championship at all over the next two years though.

He has dropped down to 12th in the world rankings due to playing in fewer tournaments recently, winning the World Seniors Snooker Championship and featuring in the Snooker 900 format.

If he drops out of the top 16 in the world, then he won’t automatically qualify for the major tournament – and he’s revealed he’s not interested in trying to qualify if he misses out.

“You have to be realistic,” O’Sullivan continued. “I am definitely not going to be playing qualifiers, put it that way.

“You won’t see me go down to Barnsley, trying to win qualifier matches and all that sort of stuff.

“I have to be realistic, if that happens, then obviously that’s the end of my career. Hopefully I can go for at least another two seasons.”