Ronnie O'Sullivan: Ken Doherty and Neal Foulds believe Rocket could retire with eighth world title - ‘It might be time'
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Updated 19/01/2024 at 14:56 GMT
Ken Doherty and Neal Foulds were discussing Ronnie O'Sullivan's recent gloomy demeanour, despite showing no signs of slowing down in a career that continues to produce title after title. The world No.1 became both the youngest and oldest winner of the Masters on Sunday after already winning the Shanghai Masters and UK Championship this season.
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Ken Doherty and Neal Foulds believe Ronnie O’Sullivan could bow out of the sport after if he claims an eighth world championship.
O'Sullivan has cut an increasingly downbeat demeanour in recent weeks, despite having one of the best seasons of his career to date.
The world No.1 has already won the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship and Masters, but spoke about his lack of enjoyment on the table following a 4-3 win over Zhou Yuelong in a World Grand Prix last-16 encounter on Thursday.
“Maybe he's come to that crossroads in his life where maybe if he wins the eighth World Championship, it might be time for him to say, 'look, I've gone out on the top,' Doherty told ITV Sport.
“He could still play exhibitions and still loves playing in China, but it might be the right time if he feels that way.”
Doherty alluded to the contrast between O’Sullivan’s comments and his highly-impressive form, citing Sunday’s victory over Ali Carter in Sunday’s Masters final as an example of that desire and will to win.
“He's playing the best snooker; he says he doesn't like beating people who want it more, but on Sunday night in the Masters, Ali Carter wanted that title as much as he did,” he explained.
“He fought tooth and nail to beat him and was successful in the end. He still has that competitive spirit in the end, even though he says he might not. But when he gets back on that table, he's a different animal. He still gives a lot of great entertainment and been a talisman in snooker.”
Foulds added to the plaudits for O’Sullivan and agreed with Doherty that an eighth world title could be the perfect way to bow out at the top.
“He's the greatest player of all time, there's no question about that,” he added.
“He's had 30 years of winning, and being youngest and oldest person to do that at the Masters. Ken might be right, if he was to win another world title, what is there left to achieve?
“It would be some way to go out because there's no-one like him. At some point his game is going to diminish, it has to, otherwise he isn't human.
“Does he want that to happen or does he want to go out at the very top? Maybe that would be a great time, the eighth world title.”
‘Playing on autopilot’ – O’Sullivan admits to going through motions
Ronnie O’Sullivan admitted he has been "playing on autopilot" in an interview with ITV Sport.
He said: "It [snooker] was keeping me on the straight and narrow a bit. Helping the family in lots of ways.
"I'm always having to find reasons to play, saying I'll do it for this and that. I've never thought I actually really want to do this.
"There have been moments I've been flying and it's been great. And you think, 'I'm on top of the world'.
"There hasn't been enough good form. I feel like I've been playing on autopilot.”
When addressing the theme of retirement, O’Sullivan stressed he has not made a decision regarding his future yet and refused to confirm if this year’s World Championship will be his final tournament.
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"I'm not saying I'm going to retire, because everyone says when you are going to retire, I never said that word, so don't quote me on that.
"But I'm not enjoying my snooker, no. It's hard to walk away from it when you are still winning.
"That niggling voice in the back of your head, that makes you think if I can get my game half right, I'll stroll tournaments.
"Who knows if the World Championship [will be my last]. That's the worst tournament for me out of them all them.”
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