Ronnie O’Sullivan has retirement date in mind as he gears up for British Open

Ronnie O'Sullivan explains why he made a 146 in 2016

Ronnie O’Sullivan revealed in June that he doesn’t have long left in snooker. The 47-year-old, who has never shied away from leaving the sport, particularly in recent years, claims he has three or four years left at the top.

“I think I’ve got three or four years left to do, but you have to be dedicated,” he said. “I’ve always been open to learning and becoming a better player. I think I’m a better player than I ever have been because I don’t rely on just one thing. Over the years I’ve had to learn to improve in a lot of areas and now I can call upon them.”

O’Sullivan has maintained a love-hate relationship with the sport since turning over as a professional in 1992 at 16 years old. The snooker star has been very outspoken about the lack of prize money being put up for tournaments and has often stood in opposition of many of the sport’s most important figures.

But one place he has always had a special affinity with is Asia, where snooker continues to grow in popularity at a rapid rate. O’Sullivan hopes to close out his career in Thailand or China against a British favourite like John Higgins or Mark Williams.

“I’d like to finish my career off in Asia because this is where snooker is more popular – like in China, Thailand and Hong Kong. My sponsors like to see me in Asia. When things (Covid restrictions) open up more I might play more in Asia and skip a few events in the UK. I cannot do them all.

“It’s always good to play a local favourite, whether that is Ken Doherty in Ireland, John Higgins in Scotland, Mark Williams in Wales, James Wattana here in Thailand or Ding Junhui in China. Those are fantastic occasions.”

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Once his career is all said and done, O’Sullivan is hoping to move into coaching either in athletics or snooker. “I’ve thought about taking my athletics coaching badges. The best nights of my life were down at the track in Woodford Green,” he wrote in his new book, Entitled.

“The times I took my daughter running and gave her a little advice. The times I’ve shared snooker knowledge with young players — those were the most rewarding.”

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