Ronnie O’Sullivan crashed out of the World Championship on the last-16 stage earlier than issuing a ‘present me the cash’ warning to tournaments.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has mentioned he’ll solely play at tournaments that pay him properly (Picture: PA)
Barry Hearn is hoping Ronnie O’Sullivan continues taking part in till he reaches 60, insisting snooker’s doorways will stay completely open for The Rocket. The seven-time world champion exited the World Championship on the final 16 stage and spoke afterwards in regards to the affect of inadequate big-match observe because of his selective participation in tournaments over the previous two years.
O’Sullivan additionally cautioned that, following affirmation the £2.3million Saudi Arabia Masters has been axed two years right into a 10-year contract, he won’t be attending occasions anyplace except the monetary phrases are passable. He mentioned: “Any event I am going to, all of them know they must get the chequebook out. If that stops, then I cease. At any time when it’s – Saudi, Qatar, China, right here, no matter it’s – I all the time make sure that I’ve obtained some form of charge coming as a result of in any other case folks know that I will not flip up.”
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Snooker chief Hearn is satisfied the game has a promising future whatever the famous person’s involvement, however is eager for O’Sullivan to proceed showing for an additional decade and has no objections to him being selective about occasions.
He mentioned: “Ronnie is a legend. How vital was Tiger Woods in golf? Only a few gamers ever introduced in regards to the industrial benefits that Tiger did, however their time comes and I am simply hoping that Ronnie’s this enigma that might be taking part in when he is 60. Sometimes. When he feels prefer it. And good luck to him.
“Let him play when he needs, and the day he needs to play, the doorways will all the time be open. I need him to do this as a result of I need him to be glad. If he isn’t glad, he isn’t the identical particular person, he isn’t the identical participant.
“He is fairly glad, I feel, I hope. However the recreation must be sturdy sufficient to outlive huge names, as any sport has over time, and we’ll regulate, and we’ll create different huge names.
Barry Hearn is okay with Ronnie O’Sullivan choosing and selecting the occasions he performs (Picture: Getty)
“Will they get to the stature of Ronnie O’Sullivan? I personally doubt it, however who is aware of? I do not know what the longer term is there. If I knew what the longer term was, I would be backing each horse in yesterday’s race.
“Mark Williams continues to be there, John Higgins continues to be there. Ronnie, the good Ronnie. These persons are legends.
“I imply, what different sport’s obtained 50-year-olds taking part in at the usual they’re taking part in, taking over the youngsters and coming via sturdy?
“It is simply good [when he plays]. It isn’t vital, it simply good as a result of if it is vital, it means you may’t deal with out him and that is not the case. We have now a lot expertise on this recreation.”
Craig Swan is protecting the 2026 World Snooker Championship from the Crucible for the Day by day Report
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