Ronnie O’Sullivan has turned his again on the UK to reside overseas.
Ronnie O’Sullivan moved to Dubai along with his spouse Laila Rouass final yr (Picture: Getty)
Ronnie O’Sullivan has clarified his stance on taking part in within the UK once more after relocating overseas along with his spouse, Laila Rouass, final yr. The seven-time world champion is now based mostly in Dubai, having swapped British shores for the hotter local weather of the Center East. He declared his intention to maneuver out of England following his semi-final exit on the final World Championship.
O’Sullivan can be a citizen of Hong Kong, having handed via a high quality migration scheme to realize residency within the former British colony. Since transferring to Dubai, the 50-year-old has been taking part in fewer occasions within the UK. He has appeared at a complete of eight tournaments this season however solely a kind of was based mostly in Britain.
He returned for the UK Championship on the York Barbican however solely lasted one match, dropping by the hands of Zhou Yuelong within the opening spherical.
In an interview with the South China Morning Submit, O’Sullivan defined that he would not have a selected challenge with taking part in within the UK, along with his schedule primarily relying on how he’s feeling on the time.
“I don’t have an issue with the UK, I don’t have an issue with anyplace, it’s simply if I really feel like taking part in, I’ll play,” mentioned O’Sullivan.
“If I don’t really feel like taking part in, then I gained’t. You recognize, there’s no plan or no motive, you simply resolve close to the time if it’s one thing you wish to do.”
O’Sullivan was as a consequence of play on the Masters final month however withdrew as a consequence of medical causes earlier than the beginning of the event.
He’s anticipated to return to the UK for the World Championship later this yr and should solely play one warm-up occasion earlier than the Crucible showpiece.
O’Sullivan has solely performed in a single UK-based event this season (Picture: Getty)
Quizzed on his schedule for the remainder of the season, he mentioned: “I’ll possibly play in Yushan, China [for the World Open], after which possibly simply the World Championships. However nothing is for certain, you by no means know.”
O’Sullivan has certified for this month’s Gamers Championship in Telford and is in a really robust place to make it to the Tour Championship as properly. Nonetheless, neither of these occasions look like on his radar as issues stand.
He beforehand defined that he was loving his new life in Dubai, admitting that his back-up plan of relocating to Sheffield had confronted opposition from Rouass.
Event schedules, scores, gamers updates and majors information plus chosen provides and competitions Subscribe Invalid e-mail
We use your sign-up to offer content material in methods you’ve got consented to and to enhance our understanding of you. This may occasionally embody adverts from us and third events based mostly on our understanding. You’ll be able to unsubscribe at any time. Learn our Privateness Coverage
“It is actually good,” he mentioned. “I’ve bought a terrific observe facility there, which was one of many fundamental causes for going. I used to be struggling to seek out someplace to play. It was both get a practice as much as Sheffield or attempt to transfer to Sheffield, however my spouse wasn’t too eager on Sheffield.
“So she mentioned: ‘We both go to Spain or Dubai’. And I assumed: ‘Nicely, Dubai is nearer China’. Clearly it is within the Center East. All of the tournaments that I play and all of the work that I do is there. It simply made sense to go to Dubai.”
Leave a Reply