Ronnie O’Sullivan will forever be remembered as a genius around the snooker table. In a sport of mavericks it could be that the man from Essex is the biggest maverick of them all.
Through his thrilling style of play nobody has been able to attract crowds like him. Often the main reason as to why tickets are bought and sponsors are drawn to events is still because of O’Sullivan. Although he is reaching the latter part of his career and there are several emerging players, he still remains the biggest draw in the sport.
A seven time World Champion, O’Sullivan has been able to compete and beat some of the best metronomes in the game and in the past he has shown that he can sustain his brilliance over days and weeks.
What can often prove to be the case with players who boast obscene talent, is that sometimes that genius can be flawed and O’Sullivan certainly fits under that category.
With all his talent, motivation can sometimes be an issue and it’s fair to suggest that with so many majors and ranking titles behind him, money more than titles drive him these days.
No stranger to making the headlines, O’Sullivan has had a mysterious 2024. Yet to win a title of note, he has pulled out of numerous events this season and that theme continued this week with his withdrawal at the 2024 Scottish Open.
With no explanation given as to the reasons why the Englishman had decided not to take his place in this year’s lineup, rumours are starting to fly as to whether O’Sullivan’s best days are behind him.
Fans Reveal Dismay at O’Sullivan at no Show
Despite his poor form and at times questionable attitude, it’s fair to say that the world of snooker very much revolves around O’Sullivan.
The headline attraction at this year’s Scottish Open, his decision to withdraw from the tournament drew ire from those who had bought tickets in the hope that the Rocket would make an appearance.
One fan angrily stated ‘I can't believe Ronnie has pulled out of the tournament. I got the train from Inverness and have tickets for his opening match. He's an absolute disgrace for doing this hours before he was meant to play. It cost me a fortune.’
There were even reports that before the first day's play began, a montage was shown to the crowd showcasing all of O’Sullivan’s exploits with some fans reportedly booing what was being shown.
O’Sullivan has made no secret of the fact that these days he plays the game purely for the cash and despite the Scottish Open boasting a winners cheque of £100,000, it seems that even that wasn’t enough to lure him northwards.
The fans at the Scottish Open aren’t the only fans who have been left disappointed, similar withdrawals were made at both the English and Northern Irish Opens and with no explanation provided, it has only added fuel to the fire that O’Sullivan’s time at the top of the game might be coming to an end.
Is O’Sullivan in Danger of Falling Out of The Top 16?
You may be forgiven in thinking that O’Sullivan’s reluctance to play in some of the sport's lesser known events could be damaging when it comes to keeping his place inside snooker’s most coveted club, the top 16 intact.
However, despite his latest withdrawal O’Sullivan still very much finds himself seated at the top table of the game. Ranked fourth in the overall money list, technically O’Sullivan could choose not to play ahead of next year’s World Championship and he would still find himself as one of the tournament’s top seeds.
Able to pick and choose what events he plays in, there isn’t a great deal that those inside the game can do to punish the multiple world time champion.
Whilst his absence will be firmly felt by the crowds and sponsors, he doesn’t need to chase ranking points or money. Whilst better transparency from him and his team would be ideal to all in the game, how much that will come in the future very much remains to be seen.
Where Will he Play Next?
With O’Sullivan primarily looking to play to land the big bucks, it isn’t surprising that he looks set to cue it up at next week’s Riyadh Season Snooker Championship. The winner of the event last season, the Rocket will be looking to win one of the most lucrative tournaments of the season.
Upon his commitment to make the trip over to the Saudi Arabian capital, O’Sullivan has stated ‘I'm contracted to do certain events in China, and I'm contracted to go to Saudi, so obviously they've got first dibs then it's about spending time at home with the family. If people are prepared to pay it, i’ll get my cue out of my case. If they're not, I'm content to never ever play again, and move on and do other stuff.
Although he has consistently repeated this stance, it seems that for the first time, O’Sullivan is really living up to his word and if he can ensure his place in the top 16 without having to play in every tournament, you can be assured that it’s a path he would want to take.
It would be a very dangerous thing to write O’Sullivan off as when he is playing his best, there are very few in the game that have the quality or skill to beat him. Few would ever write off his chances of winning another World Championship, however a lack of matches could be costing him.
Currently on a poor run of form, the likes of Judd Trump, Kyren Wilson and Mark Allen would all fancy their chances if paired against him.
Although few inside the game would like to admit it, the clock on O’Sullivan’s career is steadily ticking. With the great man either not motivated to play or losing early, that time might be coming sooner rather than later.
Andrew Blakely
At 35, Andrew Blakely stands as a seasoned expert in both snooker and its betting intricacies. A dedicated player and analyst, he offers keen insights derived from years in the field. Through his writings, Andrew aspires to guide enthusiasts navigating the captivating world of snooker betting.
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