Snooker Legend Ronnie O'Sullivan Considers Skipping Crucible Start
If you’re following snooker, you can’t miss the drama swirling around Ronnie O'Sullivan and the Crucible. The sport’s biggest name is openly questioning whether he’ll make it to the table for the 2025 World Snooker Championship opener, and it’s got nothing to do with his cue skills. Instead, everyone’s eyes are on his well-being—both physical and mental—as O'Sullivan faces some of the toughest battles of his career off the table.
O'Sullivan, who’s been the face of snooker for decades, hasn’t played a major competitive match since November 2023. He’s pulled out of several big events like the World Open and World Grand Prix. Each time, he’s pointed to medical issues—never specifics, but enough to worry fans and players alike. It’s rare for an athlete of his caliber to go radio silent in the run-up to the season’s biggest showdown. His repeated withdrawals have everyone wondering if his streak at the Crucible, which stretches back to 1992, is about to end.
More Than Just Physical Strains
But it’s not only about aches and pains. O'Sullivan himself has admitted to feeling a "loss of nerve"—a startling confession for a man known for his icy composure. At 49, keeping up with snooker’s younger generation is a mental marathon. The pressure to top his own legacy can feel crushing, especially for someone who’s spent major chunks of his career under the microscope. He’s often put his well-being first, a stance that has sometimes seen him skip tournaments even as fans and sponsors hoped for his return.
History is littered with moments where O'Sullivan’s struggles took center stage. Remember that time during the Championship League when he snapped his cue in frustration? Or his unexpected decision to drop out of the Masters at the last minute? These aren’t isolated flashes—they’re signs of someone determined to manage his personal limits, even as expectations remain sky-high. He’s been open about wanting to safeguard his health rather than chase more titles at any cost.
Despite all this, snooker lovers haven’t written him off. O'Sullivan has confirmed, at least for now, that he plans to play at the Crucible come April 19, 2025, with a shot at clinching an incredible eighth title—a record that would nudge him past even the legends. Still, close sources say a withdrawal from the opening match remains on the table if his health dips again or the stress becomes unmanageable. His candor about nerves and the desire to step away if needed makes this year’s tournament more unpredictable than ever.
While he’s hoping for another chance at history, O'Sullivan isn’t pretending it’s all about winning. He’s publicly praised rivals like John Higgins—calling him the sport’s best all-rounder—and suggested that pure dominance isn’t everything. Right now, it sounds like a win for O'Sullivan would be making peace with himself, not just the scoreline.
The Crucible has seen O'Sullivan’s highs and lows, record runs and headline-grabbing walkouts. As the days tick down to the 2025 event, the big question is whether "The Rocket" will actually take off again or choose, finally, to step aside—for his health, his sanity, and maybe even his legacy.
