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Snooker

02nd Dec 2023

Ronnie O’Sullivan’s future uncertain as stalemate with World Snooker Tour continues

Ryan Grace

The Rocket is facing disciplinary action from the WST after criticising the sport’s governing body.

It’s perhaps unsurprising that the most turbulent period in Ronnie O’Sullivan’s career in years would come hand-in-hand with the release of his new documentary The Edge of Everything on Amazon Prime.

The snooker legend, currently ranked first in the world, has released a warts-and-all style two-hour documentary which follows his life on and away from the snooker table.

It gives a particular insight into his struggles with his mental health and how he’s learned to deal with pressure…

Ronnie O’Sullivan received “not very nice” letter from snooker bosses

Despite the success of the doc, all is not well in the Ronnie O’Sullivan camp.

The Essex native says he was asked by the WST to “consider his future” in the sport in a recent letter.

O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion and easily the most recognisable name in the sport, was critical of the Tour ovver its stance on five players appearing in an exhibition event in Macau earlier this season.

He has also threatened to quit snooker over the row.

The current world champion Luca Brecel, four-time world champions John Higgins and Mark Selby, Thepchaiya Un-Nooh and Ali Carter all narrowly avoided disciplinary action earlier this year for attending the event in China.

O’Sullivan backed their decision at the time, insisting they should be free to pick and choose their Tour commitments.

A detailed view Ronnie O’Sullivan’s trainers as he plays Robert Milkins in Round 2 of UK Snooker Championship 2023 (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)

O’Sullivan continues, for now, amidst UK Championship

The 47-year-old is currently taking part in the triple crown event, the UK Championship in York.

He insisted he “can’t be bothered” with snooker anymore in his post-match interview with the BBC during the week, despite having just beaten Robert Milkins to make the quarter-finals.

On Saturday he beat World No. 18 Hossein Vafaei to reach the final, where he’ll play one of Judd Trump or Ding Junhui.

O’Sullivan has won the tournament seven times, but has not lifted the trophy since 2018.

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