Ronnie O’Sullivan has confirmed that he will play at this year’s World Snooker Championship after drawing bitter rival Ali Carter in the first round. O’Sullivan said earlier this month that he ‘had not made his mind up’ about playing at the Crucible after taking more than three months away from competitive action.
But he has now decided to take the plunge and hunt down an eighth world title. He told TNT Sports: “I’m proud to continue my record of having never missed a World Championship. I have many fond memories at The Crucible and look forward to making more in 2025.”
Having snapped his cue in a fit of rage at the Championship League in January, O’Sullivan confirmed he has been getting familiar with his new equipment. He added: “I’ve enjoyed some good prep with my (new!) cue over the last week so feel good ahead of Tuesday.
“Before I’m at the table, I’ll be on the sofa for TNT Sports this Saturday and Sunday evening. I’m really looking forward to seeing the team again and having some fun.”
As if seeing O’Sullivan back on the table next Tuesday is not exciting enough for fans, the prospect of him taking on snooker foe Carter makes the occasion even more mouth-watering.
The pair have a long and fractious history which took another turn after least year’s Masters final, when Carter accused O’Sullivan of ‘snotting all over the floor’ during their match. The Rocket held up his middle finger and responded: “He can sit on it as far as I’m concerned.
“I don’t give a f***. You know what he’s like, everybody knows what he’s like. He’s got issues. I’m not having it. I don’t care, grow some balls. The more he brings it on, the more I f***ing punish him every time. He’s just digging a grave for himself. He needs to sort his f***ing life out.”
Six years prior, at the 2018 World Snooker Championship, O’Sullivan shoulder barged Carter while making his way back to his seat, and the referee had to ask both players to calm down. Carter later claimed that O’Sullivan had apologised to him over the incident, which the Rocket publicly denied.
O’Sullivan has withdrawn from a string of tournaments since the turn of the year on ‘medical grounds’, and this year’s worlds will be his first ranking event since last November.
