Ronnie O’Sullivan Set to Make a Comeback at the Shanghai Masters
Renowned snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is gearing up for his return to competitive play at the prestigious Shanghai Masters this July. His manager, Jason Francis, revealed that the seven-time world champion has recently relocated to the Middle East following a challenging 2024/25 season that was plagued by equipment issues and multiple tournament withdrawals.
"Ronnie’s moved out to the Middle East for a while. You’ll probably see him first in Shanghai," Francis shared with the media about the highly anticipated invitational event scheduled to kick off on July 28.
At 49 years old, O’Sullivan’s decision to base himself abroad comes after a tumultuous season filled with controversy. One notable incident involved him breaking his cue in frustration, which ultimately led to his withdrawal from defending his title at the Masters held at Alexandra Palace.
His struggles hit a peak during a Championship League round in January when he snapped his cue in anger, an outburst that resulted in him pulling out of the Masters. This series of setbacks left his devoted fans disappointed as they missed the chance to see the snooker icon in action.
O’Sullivan finally made his return to the sport at the World Championship in April, equipped with a new cue but still grappling with equipment challenges. Despite these ongoing issues, he impressively reached the semi-finals before being defeated by eventual champion Zhao Xintong.
After his exit from the Crucible, O’Sullivan announced his intention to settle in the Middle East, where he is also involved in running a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia.
Francis noted that O’Sullivan will take a more selective approach to his tournament schedule this season, ensuring he is adequately prepared for each event he participates in. "You won’t see Ronnie play a full schedule, but I think you’ll see him try and properly prepare for the tournaments he plays in," he explained.
The move abroad seems to provide O’Sullivan with a much-needed escape from the intense public scrutiny he faces in the UK. "You’re talking about someone who can’t go to the shop without being asked for a selfie or a photo. Where he is now, he’s finding life a little quieter," Francis revealed.
In personal news, reports suggest that O’Sullivan has reconciled with actress Laila Rouass after their split nine months ago, with plans to relocate to Dubai, just two hours away from his Riyadh academy.
Francis commended O’Sullivan’s performance at the World Championship, describing it as "absolutely incredible," especially given the difficulties he faced leading up to the tournament. "He didn’t even have a cue a few weeks before!" he noted. Despite losing all eight frames in a single session against Zhao Xintong, Francis believed O’Sullivan remained competitive overall, stating, "Apart from one bad session, he was still toe to toe with him."
Looking ahead, Francis is optimistic about O’Sullivan’s commercial appeal, even as he approaches his 50th birthday in December. "He’ll still be the sport’s most commercial player in the short term," Francis asserted. He acknowledged the unpredictable nature of O’Sullivan’s career, adding, "Ronnie’s Ronnie. He’ll decide when he wants to play, and everyone knows he can come from nowhere to win a major tournament."
As fans eagerly await O’Sullivan’s return to the snooker table, the Shanghai Masters promises to be a thrilling event, showcasing the resilience and talent of one of the sport’s greatest legends. Stay tuned for more updates as the tournament approaches!
