“Legend is asked straight out following his Crucible exit and gives emphatic answer Ian Tuckey, Digital sport journalist Published: 22:08, 2 May 2025 Updated: 23:19, 2 May 2025 DEVASTATED Ronnie O’Sullivan rejected a job offer live on TV – after being put on the spot following his World Championship semi-final loss. The Rocket’s bid for a”, — write: www.thesun.co.uk
- Ian Tuckey, Digital sport journalist
- Published: 22:08, 2 May 2025
- Updated: 23:19, 2 May 2025
The Rocket’s bid for a record eighth Crucible crown ended with a 17-7 defeat against Zhao Xintong.
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Frustrated semi-final loser Ronnie O’Sullivan said no to a short-term offer – and is also uncertain over his longer-term prospects
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O’Sullivan was gracious in defeat to Zhao Xintong, who idolises himCredit: Alamy
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The Rocket was downbeat over his recent performancesO’Sullivan revealed afterwards he was “confused” by his game as he “struggles” to accept what he calls “four bad years” with the cue.
Making changes to his equipment DURING the match surely didn’t help.
But although he is pondering his long-term situation, he had no such uncertainty when questioned about a role in the short-term.
O’Sullivan has been doing punditry work for TNT Sports at the Crucible inbetween his own matches.
And a TNT interviewer asked the 49-year-old if he’d be behind the mike again in the studio for the last three days of the World Championship.
The Rocket replied: “I won’t be there for the rest of this tournament. I’ll be going home now.”
O’Sullivan was more worried by the state of his game – even doubting that he could fix his problems.
He said of his exit: “I felt I missed a lot of shots, made it quite easy for him.
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“I’ve been bad for about four years. I didn’t even know how to correct some faults. That’s the worrying thing.
“I think I’ve lost some of the things I used to have. I don’t even know what I used to have – I’m so confused!
“It’s not even like I’ve been playing well on the practice table. So not a lot of positives. So I don’t know where to go from there.”
But he added: “I’m probably a bit more proud of what I’ve done in the past – because I’m going through a struggle right now.”
O’Sullivan was gracious in defeat – warmly embracing Zhao.
And he praised the 28-year-old Chinese ace – who idolises him and was often guided by the Rocket during his rise to the top.
O’Sullivan said: “He’s amazing, a great boy. It’s great for the game. Fantastic for him to reach the final.”
BELOW is a list of snooker World Champions by year.
The first World Championships ran from 1927 – with a break from 1941-45 because of World War II and 1958-63 because of a dispute in the sport.
Joe Davis (15), Fred Davis and John Pulman (both 8) were the most successful players during that period.
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O’Sullivan share the record for the most titles in the modern era, with seven each.
- 1969 – John Spencer
- 1970 – Ray Reardon
- 1971 – John Spencer
- 1972 – Alex Higgins
- 1973 – Ray Reardon (2)
- 1974 – Ray Reardon (3)
- 1975 – Ray Reardon (4)
- 1976 – Ray Reardon (5)
- 1977 – John Spencer (2)
- 1978 – Ray Reardon (6)
- 1979 – Terry Griffiths
- 1980 – Cliff Thorburn
- 1981 – Steve Davis
- 1982 – Alex Higgins (2)
- 1983 – Steve Davis (2)
- 1984 – Steve Davis (3)
- 1985 – Dennis Taylor
- 1986 – Joe Johnson
- 1987 – Steve Davis (4)
- 1988 – Steve Davis (5)
- 1989 – Steve Davis (6)
- 1990 – Stephen Hendry
- 1991 – John Parrott
- 1992 – Stephen Hendry (2)
- 1993 – Stephen Hendry (3)
- 1994 – Stephen Hendry (4)
- 1995 – Stephen Hendry (5)
- 1996 – Stephen Hendry (6)
- 1997 – Ken Doherty
- 1998 – John Higgins
- 1999 – Stephen Hendry (7)
- 2000 – Mark Williams
- 2001 – Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 2002 – Peter Ebdon
- 2003 – Mark Williams (2)
- 2004 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (2)
- 2005 – Shaun Murphy
- 2006 – Graeme Dott
- 2007 – John Higgins (2)
- 2008 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (3)
- 2009 – John Higgins (3)
- 2010 – Neil Robertson
- 2011 – John Higgins (4)
- 2012 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (4)
- 2013 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (5)
- 2014 – Mark Selby
- 2015 – Stuart Bingham
- 2016 – Mark Selby (2)
- 2017 – Mark Selby (3)
- 2018 – Mark Williams (3)
- 2019 – Judd Trump
- 2020 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (6)
- 2021 – Mark Selby (4)
- 2022 – Ronnie O’Sullivan (7)
- 2023 – Luca Brecel
- 2024 – Kyren Wilson
Most World Titles (modern era)
- 7 – Stephen Hendry, Ronnie O’Sullivan
- 6 – Ray Reardon, Steve Davis
- 4 – John Higgins, Mark Selby
- 3 – John Spencer, Mark Williams
- 2 – Alex Higgins