Ronnie O’Sullivan reveals plan to become world champion in different sport after retiring from snooker
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has got his eyes on conquering another sport after already becoming one of the greatest snooker players of all time.
The Rocket, 49, is widely thought of as the best player to ever grace the baize and he reckons he can reach the top in another sport too.
Despite not retiring from snooker just yet, O’Sullivan has his sights on becoming pool world champion when he does finally call it quits.
The seven-time world snooker champion has said he will give Chinese eight-ball pool a crack when the day comes, but has vowed to give snooker at least another two years to rediscover his form.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post at the opening of a new snooker club in Hong Kong, JJ8 Club, O’Sullivan said: “Chinese eight-ball is very, very popular now in China.
“Many players play in big tournaments in China, and for someone like me, when I finish playing snooker, then I will play Chinese eight-ball.
“It’s a big sport in Asia, especially China, so when I retire from snooker, I want to become world champion in Chinese eight-ball.”
It comes after O’Sullivan revealed he has put a two-year plan together to help him return to form and start enjoying snooker again after chatting with psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters.
He said recently: “I said I wanted to at least do two proper years.
“Put everything I was doing on the back burner. I don’t feel like I have that luxury anymore to do other things and try and compete.
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“I think I owe it to my career to focus just on playing for the next two years, at least, and just see if I can rediscover some decent form.
“Try and finish my carer on a good note and not how it’s felt for the last three or four years. That’s my main goal.”
O’Sullivan has described his play as “awful” and “a struggle” in recent times, but still sits fifth in the world rankings and earned himself a spot in the World Championship semi-finals despite missing a slew of tournaments in the buildup and binning his cue.
Now the snooker icon is preparing for next week’s Shanghai Masters, where he will face Barry Hawkins or Wu Yize in his opening clash next Wednesday.
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.