Ronnie O’Sullivan considering playing pool tournaments to ‘keep rustiness off’ amid ranking points slump

Ronnie O’Sullivan says he is considering playing pool tournaments to “keep the rustiness off” as he tries to find as many matches as he can in the coming months.

O’Sullivan’s season has been somewhat unfortunate in a rankings sense, as the two tournaments he has won – the Hong Kong Masters and the Champion of Champions – were invitational only, and thus did not carry any points.

As such, O’Sullivan finds himself in 21st place on the one-year ranking list, and in 36th in the 2022-23 BetVictor Series equivalent.

That means he is currently out of the running to play both the Players Championship and the Tour Championship, which take place in late February and late March respectively.

“Even if it’s one or two matches, it’s better than nothing for me, just to keep a bit of rustiness off.

“By not having some matches it’s not a good position to be in.

“I don’t care what tournament it is, but if you’re not in these next few, then your only option is to go and play some pool tournaments or go and play on the exhibition circuit for a bit.”

O’Sullivan will play Soppon Naengkham in the next round in Cheltenham, and admitted his desire to have a good run at the event.

“I’m just enjoying playing, enjoying competing, I need to have a good run here and in the Welsh [Open],” he said.

“If I don’t have a good run here or in Wales then it’s back to the exhibition circuit just to keep it ticking over until the Worlds come round.”

The World Championship kicks off at Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre on April 15, with defending champion O’Sullivan targeting a record eighth title.

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