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Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of the greatest snooker players of all time, is setting his sights on a new challenge, becoming a world champion in Chinese eight-ball pool once he eventually hangs up his snooker cue.
The seven-time world snooker champion, famously known as The Rocket, is not done with professional snooker just yet, but he’s already planning his next competitive chapter. Speaking during a visit to Hong Kong’s JJ8 Club, O’Sullivan shared his ambition to dominate a different cue sport once his time on the snooker circuit ends.
O’Sullivan told the South China Morning Post, “Chinese eight-ball is very, very popular now in China. Many players play in big tournaments in China, and for someone like me, when I finish playing snooker, then I will play Chinese eight-ball. It’s a big sport in Asia, especially China, so when I retire from snooker, I want to become world champion in Chinese eight-ball.”
The announcement may not come as a surprise to his loyal fanbase, who know Ronnie as a competitor with both immense talent and an insatiable appetite for winning. Throughout his career, the 48-year-old has racked up a staggering number of records, from the most ranking titles to the most competitive centuries, and still commands huge crowds wherever he plays.
While he hasn't officially set a retirement date, Ronnie has hinted that he’ll give snooker at least two more years as he works to rediscover his top form. After some up-and-down performances over the past season, he’s more determined than ever to go out on a high.
“I’m still committed to snooker,” he said. “There’s more I want to do in the game before I walk away. But I need to feel like I’m enjoying it again, and that’s my focus for the next year or two.”
Chinese eight-ball, often considered a blend of American pool and snooker, is played on a table similar in size to a snooker table but with pool-style pockets and balls. It’s incredibly popular in China, with tournaments offering massive prize money and attracting global talent. Given the Rocket’s extraordinary cue ball control and natural flair, fans and pundits alike believe he could make a real mark in the sport.
O’Sullivan’s transition would not be the first from snooker to pool, but it could be the most high-profile. His involvement could give Chinese eight-ball a massive international boost, just as his presence in snooker elevated its global appeal.
