Ronnie O’Sullivan names two things that would force snooker retirement

Ronnie O’Sullivan has been an ever-present on the snooker circuit for more than 30 years but he has named two things that would make him call time on his career

Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed two specific changes that would prompt him to walk away from the sport for good. The seven-time world champion, who recently turned 50, has hinted at retirement on multiple occasions in recent years.

Despite this, ‘The Rocket’ continues to compete at a high level, having reached the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters in August. And while he admits his hunger for titles has diminished, he’s keen to play more frequently in 2026 after a quieter year.

Supporters were let down when O’Sullivan pulled out of several tournaments at short notice in 2025, including the British Open, The Masters and the Welsh Open. He attributed these withdrawals to health concerns and burnout as he became increasingly choosy about where to focus his efforts.

However, with retirement on the horizon, two particular factors would persuade him to “go and do something else” entirely. These include the potential closure of his snooker academy in Riyadh, while increased travel demands would also drive him towards hanging up his cue.

“I don’t have the hunger that I used to have,” he said during a recent appearance on Stephen Hendry’s Cue Tips YouTube channel. “But being part of this academy, there is China with some good opportunities out there, and it relies on me getting my cue out of my case.

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“If this academy shut down tomorrow and China said they did not want to do anything with me, I would never pick my cue up again. I would go and do something else.

“At the moment I am enjoying playing, I have enjoyed it more in the last six months than I have in the past 10 years. I am enjoying it and wishing I could play a bit more but I don’t want to be travelling too much either. Hopefully next year I can play a bit more.”

It’s somewhat ironic O’Sullivan’s commitments in Saudi Arabia and his passion for the sport in China both significantly increase his travel schedule. Yet the veteran has consistently expressed his appreciation for China, praising the enhanced prize money, fan enthusiasm and superior facilities.

He even declared China his “favourite place to play” in 2024, while Llandudno (home of the Welsh Open) earned the top pick as his preferred UK venue. He also maintains a residence in Hong Kong, which serves as his operational headquarters for his Far East engagements.

O’Sullivan highlighted the cuisine and culture as key attractions in Hong Kong, hence why he established a more permanent base as his Asian operations expand.

“I probably do about 70% of my work in China and Asia now, so I have to make a life here, I have to make a home,” he explained last year before the Macau Snooker Masters. “If you work a long time in a certain place you need to make it as comfortable as possible.”

Supporters and fellow players alike will undoubtedly hope to see O’Sullivan carry on for a while longer. However, his long-term future in the sport remains in constant doubt.

The snooker great is expected to take another shot at next year’s World Championship to surpass Hendry’s joint record of seven Crucible titles. However, it seems this won’t be the case if it means his travel schedule veers too far off course.