Ronnie O’Sullivan introduced his choice to step away from snooker on account of private causes on this day in 2012.
The star’s self-imposed exile didn’t final lengthy and he would return for the season-ending World Championship and win it.
World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn stated on the time: “I have spoken to Ronnie and he has decided to withdraw from any events he has entered, and he will not be playing for the rest of this season. He has some personal issues which he needs to resolve and we wish him all the best for the future.”
In May 2012, after successful his fourth world title, O’Sullivan stated he supposed to take a while away from the game.
“I don’t intend to stay in the game long, even though I feel in a lot better place,” he stated. “I’ve made that decision and this might – I’m not saying it is – be my last time in this tournament.”
Just just a few months later, in 2013, he received a fifth world title – beating Barry Hawkins – though O’Sullivan needed to wait seven years for a sixth, earlier than including a seventh in 2022.
O’Sullivan has continued his hints at retirement having repeatedly stated he had fallen out of love with the sport however simply final yr reiterated his focus.
He stated: “I feel like I’ve got life in perspective – I spent enough years getting disappointed by the game. I thought let’s try not to get disappointed and it’s freed me up a bit.
“I’m still competitive. If I take up anything I want to be better, it’s just natural and I’ll never lose that, so the players can expect me to keep coming for more.”
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