Ronnie O'Sullivan Sets Two-Year Window to Pursue Eighth World Snooker Title

The 50‑year‑old English snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan says he has only two more chances to claim a record‑breaking eighth World Championship. After opening the 2026‑27 season with a 6‑1 win over Liu Linhao at the Shanghai Masters, he warned he will retire if he ever has to play qualifying matches, noting his current 12th‑place ranking puts him at risk of falling out of the top‑16.

O'Sullivan, who last won the title in 2022 and is level with Stephen Hendry on seven modern‑era titles, said he wants to enjoy the next two seasons before reassessing his future in 2028. He cited the mental and physical demands of long sessions, saying, “I'm 50 now, and if I play for two hours I then have to lie down for two or three hours.” He added that if he is forced into qualifiers he will call time on his career.