O'Sullivan - This could be the end

Ronnie O'Sullivan suggested his return to snooker was motivated by money
2 May 2013

Ronnie O'Sullivan vowed "this is my last farewell" as he announced he would quit snooker for good before next year's Betfair World Championship.

The four-time champion at the Crucible is firm favourite to land a fifth title, having marched through to a semi-final clash with Judd Trump in fine style, beating Stuart Bingham 13-4 in the last eight.

O'Sullivan has spent most of the last 12 months in self-imposed exile from the sport, but returned for another shot at glory in Sheffield. He now claims that decision was motivated purely by money, explaining how he needed to cough up for overdue school fees. The 37-year-old said: "It's nice to be in the semi-finals but I didn't really miss snooker."

O'Sullivan added: "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 school 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 now 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. I have signed a contract with my sponsor to play in 10 events so I'll play in those."

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. I've kept my cards close to my chest but there's no reason to keep them close now. This is my last farewell, it's my swansong. I'm happy; I'm done."

Trump said he is not scared of O'Sullivan and their clash promises to be a classic, just like Trump's 13-12 quarter-final victory over Shaun Murphy. Trump said: "There are only a certain amount of players who have got the self-belief to beat Ronnie and scare him and I think I'm one of them.

"I've got a good record against Ronnie. I've beaten him more times than he's beaten me, so hopefully I can go out and scare him.

"I think people are just scared of the name. The big stage is where I want to be. I'm not scared of the name."

O'Sullivan's remarks overshadowed what had been a thrilling finale to the match between Trump and Murphy, and also came on a day when Ricky Walden and Barry Hawkins reached Crucible semi-finals for the first time.

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