Phil Haigh
Published November 28, 2025 8:00pm
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Ronnie O’Sullivan will make a rare UK experience next week in York (Picture: Getty Images)
Ronnie O’Sullivan says he would hang up his cue if it weren’t for playing in China and Saudi Arabia, as he prepares to play in the UK for the first time this season.
The Rocket has not played on home soil since reaching the semi-finals of the World Championship in May, partly because it is no longer really home soil.
The 49-year-old now lives in Dubai and has only chosen to play in professional events in China and Saudi Arabia so far this season.
That run will end at the UK Championship, where he gets his campaign underway in York against Zhou Yuelong on Tuesday.
O’Sullivan will play in York, probably the Tour Championship in Manchester and then the World Championship in Sheffield in April.
Other than that, it will likely just be events in Asia and the Middle East, which he says are the only things keeping him playing snooker anymore.
‘If I never potted another ball after this conversation, I’d be fine, you know. So it’s not like I’m eager to play or, I’m just doing it because it suits my needs at the moment,’ O’Sullivan said during the recent Riyadh Season Snooker Championship.
The Ronnie O’Sullivan Snooker Academy in Riyadh (Picture: Getty Images)
‘You know what I mean? I like travelling, to a certain extent. I’m enjoying having the academy here in Saudi Arabia and doing that. I enjoy the couple of partnerships I have in China, which is important as well.
‘So I think if you were to take Saudi away and possibly the stuff that I do in China, I probably wouldn’t play. I’m in a situation where it’s working for me because obviously at my age, I’m not so driven to win tournaments. I’d like to do well in tournaments, but it’s not to be-all-and-end-all.
‘So you kind of have to go, well, is this working for me as a whole, rather than just about winning tournaments? And so far it is.
‘But like I said, and I say to everybody, if China and Saudi decided to end our partnerships tomorrow, then I’d definitely end my playing as a professional.’
O’Sullivan is a star in Saudi Arabia (Picture: Getty Images)
There is no sign of that happening, so O’Sullivan fans do not need to worry about him retiring any time soon.
Chinese interest in the game remains very strong, with the current world champion, Zhao Xintong, hailing from the country and reports of the big-money China Open returning to the circuit.
When the Rocket does put his cue down for good, it doesn’t sound like he will be far from the professional game anyway, with media work and mentoring in his future.
‘I’d probably still do a bit of punditry. I’d probably still maybe help some players out, that felt like I could add to their game,’ he said. ‘But as far as playing and putting the time and effort in, it’s got to be worth my while, you know. Otherwise, it’s not worth it. If that makes sense?
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‘There’s certain things that I want to do and I enjoy doing. I’d probably make more time for them, you know.’
O’Sullivan won the 2023 UK Championship, his eighth triumph in the event (Picture: Getty Images)
Having said he is only motivated by the events in Asia and the Middle East, you might expect the Rocket to say he isn’t much looking forward to the UK Championship next week. But you’d be wrong.
‘Yeah, no, I’m looking forward to it, really,’ he said. ‘I’m really looking forward to playing in the UK. I’m looking forward to the World Championships in April.
‘Yeah, and whatever tournaments I play. But yeah, I’d like to…yeah, yeah, I’m quite looking forward to it.’
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