Ronnie O'Sullivan revisits Crucible criticism ahead of World Championship – 'You might get lasagne, but that's about it'

ByEurosport

Published 15/04/2024 at 07:53 GMT

Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the world title at the Crucible Theatre in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020 and 2022, but the snooker GOAT has never been a devoted lover of the sport's most iconic venue in Sheffield. Ahead of the 48th World Championship, O'Sullivan has been talking up the benefits of moving the tournament to China or Saudi Arabia to boost the growth of the sport's flagship event.

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Ronnie O'Sullivan has won the World Championship seven times, but the snooker GOAT has often seemed to have a love-hate relationship with the Crucible, historic host venue of the sport's biggest tournament since 1977.

"I don’t like the Crucible. I don’t think you can get in and out of it. I think definitely it’s a wise decision to take it away from Sheffield," he was quoted as telling The Sun newspaper ahead of his quest for a record eighth title this year.

"Still have a tournament there. Why not? But just not the World Championship over 17 days. It’s a massive circus and you need a massive space to accommodate it. I think Saudi Arabia would be great. They’ve got the resources and would do it great.

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"If you’re going to take it to China, you’d have to take it to Shanghai. Or another major city like Shenzhen or Guangzhou. It’d be done properly. Courtesy cars will be laid on. Food will be there. Hotels will be great. Everything would be paid for. Prize money would be astronomical.

"I know at the Crucible you get nice tea there, you might get lasagne if the guys are cooking. But that’s about it."

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O'Sullivan first played at the Crucible in 1993 – losing 10-7 to fellow Eurosport pundit Alan McManus – and has aired mixed views on the suitability of the compact 980-seat arena for such a huge event.

The world No. 1 even described it as an "amazing venue" after equalling Stephen Hendry's modern-day record of seven wins in two years ago, but has rarely hidden his general dislike of the cramped set-up inside the snooker hothouse.

Here are a few more of O'Sullivan's familiar soundbites about the Crucible over the years ahead of his record-extending 32nd-straight appearance in Sheffield.

O'Sullivan on Crucible – February 2024

"I don’t actually like the Crucible to be honest. I’d much rather it go anywhere than the Crucible. I know it’s a great venue, but I don’t like playing there for 17 days. For me if it goes anywhere but the Crucible it would be brilliant.”

O'Sullivan on Crucible – May 2022

"I really like the Crucible, I think it’s an amazing venue. It’s sort of iconic, there’s a brilliant atmosphere. It is our best venue and I’d only move it if they could get 5,000 people which would mean double the prize money.

"Or unless China come in with an offer that you just couldn’t refuse. Otherwise, why would you move it from Sheffield? Sheffield has been great to snooker, it’s sort of like the home of snooker really.

"Until someone comes up with an offer, you can’t refuse then I’d just keep it where it is."

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O'Sullivan on Crucible – January 2018

"Crucible goes on too long and it's my least favourite event of all. Plus I've got plenty ranking points so no need to play as much."

O'Sullivan on Crucible – April 2016

“When I think back to my great matches and you see the crowd’s faces and the pleasure that you give them when you play an unbelievable performance, that sticks in your mind, that’s what I’m here to do. I think there will inevitably be a move away from the Crucible at some point.

“With the 128 draw being used at many events there will come a point where they want all of those at one venue like Wimbledon, and that won’t be this one.

“Maybe they could do that and still keep another tournament at the Crucible, I don’t know how they would work it."

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O'Sullivan on Crucible – March 2015

"I know it sounds crazy, but I wasn't even sure if I was going to enter the worlds. I probably will, but it's got to the point where I want to give snooker only 20% of my time.

"It's not something I'm that bothered about. It's probably one of my least favourite tournaments. 17 days is too long."

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