‘I feel good’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan confirms he WILL play at Crucible but snubs snooker world champions dinner
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has confirmed he will be returning to the baize to play in at the World Snooker Championship.
However the seven-time world champion snubbed last night’s inaugural Champions Dinner in Sheffield.
O’Sullivan, 49, turned down the opportunity to attend the first ever Champions Dinner that saw reigning champ Kyren Wilson choose a menu to engorge alongside a host of other former winners.
The event, which is very similar to golf’s Masters dinner, is thought to have seen 12 players accept invites – including Wilson, Stephen Hendry and Steve Davis.
Despite O’Sullivan turning down the chance to join his counterparts at the dinner table, The Rocket will walk the green carpet outside the Sheffield Theatre today before the pre-Worlds media day.
O’Sullivan last revealed this week that he WILL play after finding a cue that he feels comfortable with.
He told TNT Sports: “I’m proud to continue my record of having never missed a World Championship.
“I have many fond memories at the Crucible and look forward to making more in 2025.
“I’ve enjoyed some good prep with my new cue over the last week so I feel good.”
Ronnie, who has withdrawn from five ranking events in 2025 on ‘medical grounds’ and also snapped a cue in anger, told Sun- Sport he had be struggling to find the right equipment.
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The world No.5 is playing down expectations on his 33rd tournament appearance as he tries to win a record eighth championship.
Things will get off to a tasty start for snooker‘s biggest name after he was drawn against ‘Snotgate’ nemesis Ali Carter.
According to Mark Selby, O’Sullivan has a “horrible draw” as his blockbuster reunion with injury-hit Carter brings back memories of previous bad blood.
O’Sullivan has beaten his fellow Essex rival in two championship finals he won 18-8 in 2008 and then 18-11 in 2012.
Carter, the world No.18, enjoyed a rare victory in the second round of the 2018 Worlds but the two Englishmen were involved in a “shoulder barge” incident in the 19th frame.
When O’Sullivan won a record-extending eighth Masters crown in January 2024, following a 10-7 win over Carter, an X-rated war of words occurred in post-match press conferences.
Carter, 45, alleged O’Sullivan cleared his nose during the final frames.
He claimed the former world No 1 was “snotting all over the floor” and labelled it “outrageous behaviour”.
In response, O’Sullivan launched an expletive-driven rant, stuck up his middle finger in protest and stormed out of his media duties.
Carter has been a pain in the neck for O’Sullivan but now he faces a race to be fit for the opener due to his crooked neck.