Sheffield, UK | May 3, 2025 — BlogHear.com
Seven-time world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has announced plans to leave the United Kingdom and begin a “new life” in the Middle East following his semi-final exit at the 2025 World Snooker Championship in Sheffield.
The 49-year-old Englishman suffered a crushing 17–7 defeat to China’s Zhao Xintong, ending his campaign to win a record eighth world title at the Crucible Theatre. It was O’Sullivan’s first tournament appearance since breaking his cue earlier this year in frustration.
Speaking to reporters after the match, O’Sullivan said, “I think I’m going to be moving out of the UK this year. I’ll be moving away to the Middle East. We’ll see how it goes—I might be back in six months.”
O’Sullivan already has ties to the region, including a snooker academy in Riyadh and a multi-year ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia aimed at promoting and developing the sport. His move is seen as part of a broader effort to grow snooker in the Middle East.
Despite earlier victories against top opponents like Ali Carter and Si Jiahui, O’Sullivan looked out of form against Zhao, who outplayed him in all departments. “Zhao deserved his victory,” O’Sullivan admitted. “I think he’s done brilliantly all tournament.”
O’Sullivan has previously spoken publicly about his mental health struggles and has expressed doubt about his long-term future in professional snooker. Following this defeat, he said he felt “at a loss” and unsure whether continuing in the sport was “even worth it.”
The snooker legend, who turns 50 in December, holds the record for the most ranking titles (41) in the sport’s history and is often regarded as the greatest player of all time.
While it remains unclear whether this move marks the end of his competitive career, O’Sullivan hinted at taking a break and focusing on off-table roles, particularly in coaching and promotion overseas.
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