Ronnie O’Sullivan Hits Peak Form Post-Wedding,Declares “Best Snooker in Three Years”
Shanghai,China – Ronnie O’Sullivan,the legendary “Rocket” of the snooker world,believes he delivered his finest performance in three years during his recent Shanghai Masters victory. The seven-time world champion secured a dramatic 6-5 win over Barry Hawkins in the last 16, a display he later described as his strongest since claiming the 2022 World Championship.
O’Sullivan’s resurgence comes amidst a period of significant personal happiness, having recently married his long-term partner, actress Laila Rouass, in east London. The couple, who had previously announced a split before rekindling their romance, celebrated their union last month. Rouass shared a joyful image of the newlyweds on Instagram, beaming as confetti rained down upon them outside St George’s Town Hall.
This renewed confidence and form are particularly noteworthy given O’sullivan’s earlier struggles this year. The 49-year-old took a three-month hiatus from the sport due to health concerns and frustrations with his performance, even snapping his favorite cue in January.
“I’m just pleased to have won the match,” O’Sullivan stated after his hard-fought victory against Hawkins. “barry played pretty good.I played probably the best I have played for maybe as I won the World Championship in 2022. That was a good performance.” He acknowledged the favourable table conditions, noting, “The table played OK with the humidity. If it stays the same, it’s good.”
However, the Shanghai Masters journey ended in the quarter-finals for O’sullivan, who was defeated 6-3 by kyren Wilson.
This setback follows O’Sullivan’s candid reflections in April, where he expressed doubts about rediscovering his top form. He admitted to a loss of passion for the sport prior to this year’s World Championship, where he suffered a significant semi-final defeat. At that time, O’Sullivan set a two-to-four-year timeframe to “try and figure it out” and rebuild his game, admitting, “Do I think I can do it? Probably not if I’m being honest.”
fans of the “Rocket” will be eager to see if his recent personal triumphs have indeed propelled him past those doubts and back to his formidable best. The snooker world watches with anticipation as O’sullivan navigates this latest chapter in his illustrious career.