Ronnie O’Sullivan on risk of the World Snooker Championships transferring from its 47-year residence of the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield as soon as its present deal expires in 2027: “It can move about – I don’t see no reason why it shouldn’t”
Final Up to date: 01/10/24 9:33am
Ronnie O’Sullivan has issued his newest retirement risk, saying that if snooker introduces darts-style walk-on music he’d “definitely retire”.
The 48-year-old, a record-equalling seven-time world champion, is but to win a match within the 2024/25 season and, as lately as September, stated “I haven’t got long” after what he labelled an “embarrassing” 4-2 defeat to He Guoqiang within the fourth spherical of the English Open.
In an interview with talkSport, O’Sullivan was requested if snooker must observe darts’ lead within the hope of attracting a youthful viewers.
“Not having it,” O’Sullivan replied. “I’d probably definitely retire!
“I would be like, ‘You already know what? I am out of right here now’.”
While O’Sullivan admitted that snooker is struggling to attract a younger audience in the UK, he spoke again of his passion for growing the game in territories like China and Saudi Arabia where it is having more success in that space.
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The Snooker World Championship’s contract with Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre ends in 2027
“Within the UK, it’s an older crowd, however in China and Saudi Arabia they’ve a really younger crowd watching it, I do not know why that’s.
“I think it’s always been that in the UK, a lot of the older people just love snooker, but I don’t know why that is.
“I feel when snooker is up towards soccer and tennis and golf, once you’re a mum or dad, you are taking a look at, ‘What shall I get my child concerned in?’ Snooker goes to return actually down on the backside of the checklist I might think about.”
O’Sullivan added: “I like enjoying in China and in Saudi Arabia.
“I would probably be spending more time playing in those events and doing exhibitions and stuff out there.
“I identical to being on the market, so any excuse to get me on the market… I spend most of my time there as I can.”
O’Sullivan also again added his support to the possibility of the World Snooker Championship moving from the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield to China and Saudi Arabia.
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Sky Sports’ Cam Hogwood explains how the Snooker World Championship could be set to move from the tournament’s iconic Crucible
Snooker’s flagship event has been held at the 980-capacity Crucible theatre since 1977 but it could be on the move when the venue’s contract to host the tournament runs out in 2027.
“It may transfer about – I do not see no motive why it should not,” O’Sullivan said. “I am a snooker participant and as a participant you wish to really feel such as you get taken care of once you’re at tournaments.
“We played some tournaments in China and Saudi Arabia and the players loved it. They got treated well and looked after well.
“The Crucible is a superb venue, it has been unbelievable through the years. Wherever they take it I am positive they will do a superb job.”
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