In a stunning revelation that’s left the snooker world reeling, Ronnie O’Sullivan — the sport’s greatest ever player — has announced plans to leave the UK and start “a new life” in the Middle East, following his World Snooker Championship semi-final loss to Zhao Xintong at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The seven-time world champion entered the tournament after a difficult spell away from the game, battling cue tip issues and inconsistent form.
Despite reaching the semi-finals, O’Sullivan admitted his performances were below par — and when he finally met Zhao Xintong, his former protégé and admirer, the match turned into a nightmare.
Zhao whitewashed O’Sullivan 8–0 in the second session, sealing the victory with a session to spare.
The defeat marked one of the most one-sided semi-finals in Crucible history — and perhaps the emotional breaking point for the Rocket.
Speaking to BBC Sport after the match, O’Sullivan dropped a bombshell:
“I think I am going to be moving out of the UK this year.
I’ll be moving away to the Middle East.
We’ll see how it goes – I might be back in six months.
A new life somewhere else.
I don’t know how that is going to pan out.”
He added:
“I will still try to play snooker, but I don’t know what the future looks like for me really.
It’s a big part of my life — but I have to figure out whether it’s playing or not.”
The Rocket’s connection to the Middle East isn’t new.
O’Sullivan owns a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia, where he’s played exhibitions and supported the sport’s expansion across the region.
In recent years, he’s also been outspoken about his growing frustration with snooker governance in the UK, suggesting he might one day “walk away” from the tour.
His move could signal more than a change of scenery — it might mark a new chapter for the global growth of snooker, with O’Sullivan possibly taking on an ambassadorial or mentoring role.
Despite the crushing defeat, O’Sullivan remained full of praise for Zhao — his former student and admirer — who described Ronnie as his “idol.”
The two shared an emotional embrace after the match, a symbolic passing of the torch.
Zhao, 28, now heads to his first-ever Crucible final, just one year after returning from a suspension related to the Chinese match-fixing scandal that rocked the sport.
He’ll face either Mark Williams or Judd Trump in what could become a defining moment for snooker’s next generation.
At 49, Ronnie O’Sullivan stands at a crossroads — torn between legacy and freedom.
Whether his move to the Middle East is temporary or permanent, one thing is certain:
The Rocket’s next break won’t just be on green baize — it’ll be into a new life entirely.