Ronnie O’Sullivan, one of snooker’s most accomplished players, has called for changes in the sport that could have potentially prevented his withdrawal from the 2025 Masters tournament. O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion and widely regarded as one of the greatest snooker players in history, had to withdraw from the prestigious event just days before it was set to begin. The reason for his decision was a combination of physical and mental exhaustion, a situation he believes could be avoided with alterations to the calendar and structure of the sport.
In an interview following his withdrawal, O’Sullivan explained his frustration with the current demands of the snooker calendar. He argued that the sport’s tightly packed schedule, which sees players competing in multiple tournaments within a short span of time, puts an overwhelming amount of pressure on both their bodies and minds. This strain, he pointed out, is especially taxing for the top players who are consistently involved in the business end of tournaments.
O’Sullivan’s calls for change center around the idea of reducing the number of events and creating more space between them to allow players to recover both physically and mentally. He highlighted that the current schedule often leads to burnout, which not only affects a player’s performance but also their long-term health and longevity in the game. The intense schedule, O’Sullivan argued, is one of the reasons why players are prone to injuries and why motivation can dwindle.
Furthermore, O’Sullivan suggested that snooker should take a leaf out of other sports’ books, such as tennis, where the calendar is structured in a way that allows players to rest and recover. He believes that this change could lead to higher levels of competition, as players would be able to maintain peak performance over a longer period, rather than burning out midway through the season.
O’Sullivan’s remarks have sparked discussion among both players and fans of the sport. Many agree that snooker’s packed calendar can be overwhelming, particularly for those who are active in multiple tournaments. Others, however, worry that reducing the number of events could hurt the sport’s growth and exposure. Regardless, O’Sullivan’s insights have opened up an important conversation about the future of snooker, its scheduling, and the well-being of its players.
As for O’Sullivan, his withdrawal from the Masters is a reminder of the pressures top-level athletes face, and it remains to be seen whether the sport will adapt to address these concerns in the future.
