Ronnie O’Sullivan ready for 15 more years of snooker, defending champion targets World Championship at 55

Ronnie O’Sullivan believes he could win another snooker World Championship when he is 55, and has not ruled out winning more than one more in his career.

The 47-year-old also suggested that he might play on past his sixties, as he thinks another 15 years of professional competition is feasible.

O’Sullivan current has seven World Championships to his name and while he has not been at his best in 2023, he is one of the front-runners for the title this year as he arrives as reigning champion, and probably the greatest player in the history of the sport.

“I’ve never felt great about my chances, even when I was a kid, even when I was playing great, even when I went there in 2012 and couldn’t play any better, I still never felt I’ve got this in the bag,” he said.

O’Sullivan continued: “I’m playing well and I’m enjoying it. The longer I’m going to stay here the better, no better place to be playing your best snooker than at the Crucible, so I’m never one of those players who are confident.

“Some say, ‘I fancy it this year.‘ I think, ‘Wow, you’ve never even won it.’ You’ve been a pro 20 years and you think you’re going to win it.

“I’ve won it seven times and I never think I’m going to win it. I just appreciate how difficult this game is, and I just appreciate there are a lot of good competitors out there, and if they’re on their game and I’m not then I’m not going to be favourite to win the match. It doesn’t mean I can’t win the match.”

He added: “A lot of it is down to form and who is playing the stronger snooker at the time, but don’t get me wrong, I’ve won Sheffield before not playing anywhere near my best, so it can be done.

“You just have to rely on a little bit of luck and for things to go your way. Whereas when I play well, normally I don’t need luck to dominate games. But listen, I’m not going to be the most confident beforehand, but once I get in playing, I seem to find the confidence and belief.”

Turning to his future ambitions, he ruled little out, saying he could have even more than seven already. He said: “I should have won 10 by now. I’ve had a few times in my career where I’ve gone missing. Six years I spent partying and abusing myself, from 19 to 25 so if I wouldn’t have done that maybe I’d have nicked another one or two.

“A lot of people are saying eight, but why put a number on it? It could be double figures. I’ve got another 10 years of playing, at least, 15. Who’s to say I can’t win at 55?”

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