Beyond the tactical intrigue of a quarter final versus teenage sensation Si Jiahui, Ronnie O’Sullivan’s most telling quote of the week may have come when asked about his future.
“I actually like competing again,” he admitted, “and I have missed it.”
After a season in which he skipped several ranking events citing burnout, the seven time champion appears re energised, investing time in meditation sessions with performance coach Steve Peters and light hearted practice routines that mimic match pressure.
Pundits observe that O’Sullivan has kept post match autograph sessions going deep into the night, a small sign that he is enjoying the ride.
Prize money, he says, “never moved me,” and while the eighth crown remains a distant objective, the renewed appetite could be transformative.
Should he continue on this trajectory, expect the conversation around retirement to quieten and the debate around who is greatest to intensify.
For now, the Rocket’s stated goal is simple “play every ball like I am 12 years old again.”
Fans would happily settle for that.
