Snooker
Ronnie O’Sullivan sets 18-month deadline to revive his snooker career
Ronnie O’Sullivan has given himself 18 months to rescue his snooker career after crashing out of the Wuhan Open at the semi-final stage.
The 50-year-old produced a series of sloppy errors as opponent Chang Bingyu wrapped up a 6-3 win to guarantee a Chinese final in the ranking event.
O’Sullivan has been exasperated by his form all week, referring to a “disease” in his game, and after his latest setback he told WST.TV: “The disease came back big time today. If I’m honest I don’t think I will ever get over it.
“I will see out the next 18 months and see how we go. I don’t want to throw the towel in just yet. I’ve committed to playing until then. I want to give myself a chance. I’d hate to finish my career on performances like that.”
A break of 73 from Chang in the second frame proved the highest of the match. O’Sullivan hauled back level from 2-0 down and reduced the deficit again to 4-3 before blowing further chances and sliding to another painful defeat.
O’Sullivan has not won a ranking tournament since January 2024 and will have a further wait as 24-year-old Chang moved one win away from his maiden ranking crown.
Shortly after his defeat, WST revealed that O’Sullivan has pulled out of next week’s British Open in Cheltenham for medical reasons.
Outside the so-called ‘triple crown’ events, O’Sullivan has not played a ranking tournament in the UK since the English Open in Brentwood in September 2024.
Chang will face Zhao Xintong in the final in Wuhan after the former world champion beat compatriot Xiao Guodong 6-2, completing his win with a break of 124.
