O’Sullivan in semis before ‘final farewell’

‘The Rocket’ through to World Snooker Championship semi-finals.

SHEFFIELD: Defending champion Ronnie O’Sullivan eased into the World Championship semi-finals and, true to his unpredictable nature, said he had only returned after a self-imposed exile because he needed the money to pay his children’s school fees.

The 37-year-old, who had not played all season after winning last year’s world title, outclassed fellow Englishman Stuart Bingham 13-4 to set up a semi-final with Judd Trump, who had edged former world champion Shaun Murphy 13-12 in a thrilling match earlier.

O’Sullivan, who looks well set for a fifth world title, said this would be his ‘final farewell’ at the championships, although he is
contracted by his sponsor to play 10 tournaments next season.

It is not the first time that the engaging but temperamental Englishman has alluded to retiring full-time from the sport he has lit up but he said he had suffered too much and was tired of not being happy.

“It’s nice to be in the semi-finals but I didn’t really miss snooker,” said O’Sullivan. “But I missed having something to do and I was struggling for a bit of money. I’ll be honest, I still owe the school money for my children’s fees — I haven’t paid the last two or three terms.



“I didn’t know what was going to happen here but I’ve made a little bit of money now so I can go and pay the school fees for the next two years.

“But really I don’t think snooker is for me. This could be my last proper major event. As far as putting my heart and soul into snooker, I don’t think that’s what I want to do anymore but I had to give it a go. I needed some money quick.”

Asked if he would be in Sheffield for next year’s World Championship, O’Sullivan added, “I’ve no intention to come back. If I find something else to do you definitely won’t see me.”

Pressure on O’Sullivan, says Trump

Trump, 23, showed great character to come from 7-2 down to beat Murphy and move a step closer to what would be his second world final after a previous appearance in 2011.

“Everyone had written me off at 7-2 down,” he said. “However, I am delighted I proved them wrong. Now Ronnie will have all the pressure on him and I will just go out there and attack him.”

The other semi-final will be another all-English affair between Barry Hawkins and Ricky Walden.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 3^rd, 2013.