Ronnie O’Sullivan has refused to rule out withdrawing from both The Champion of Champions and UK Championship in the wake of his defeat to Junxu Pang at the International Championship earlier this week.
The Rocket lost 6-4 at the start of the week as his inconsistent form continued in Nanjing, China.
O’Sullivan has struggled over the past few months, with the 48-year-old withdrawing from multiple tournaments amid his issues.
He also split with Laila Rouass, his fiancee, back in September – two years after the couple had temporarily parted ways.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has refused to rule out withdrawing from both The Champion of Champions and UK Championship in the wake of his defeat to Junxu Pang at the International Championship earlier this week
PA
With The Champion of Champions set to take place in Bolton next week, and the UK Championship due to kick off on November 23, O’Sullivan has now provided an update.
The snooker legend says he hopes to be available for both tournaments.
But he’s also confirmed that there’s a possibility he could withdraw given he likes to make decisions at the last minute.
“I will see,” he said, per The Sun.
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“I will spend a few days here in China. I’ve got a bit more stuff to do.
“I don’t know, I always make my mind up a day before a tournament whether I am going to play or not. I don’t even know what I’m doing.
“Listen, ever since I have been playing the game, I always make my mind up the day before the event. If you feel good, you want to play, you are ready – then you play.
“If you are not ready, you don’t play. So hopefully I am ready to play. That’s all.
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“I enjoy my trips to China. I do my work. It’s my job at the end of the day. I have a lot of commitments with things. I play as much snooker as I feel I can.
“Pang played good. Deserved this win. He’s an in-form player.”
O’Sullivan has also taken to social media to react to his defeat to Pang.
The veteran shared a picture of himself smiling and said: “Out and about in Nanjing.
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Ronnie O’Sullivan was beaten by Junxu Pang at the International Championship earlier this week
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“Disappointed to be out obviously but I’m feeling good.”
With O’Sullivan out, other players will fancy their chances of glory.
John Higgins is currently in action against Chris Wakelin, while Jackson Page is set to lock horns with Xiao Guddong.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has struggled for consistency in 2024 so far
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Ding Junjui will pit his wits against Kyren Wilson for a place in the last four.
And Xu Si’s quarter-final clash with Gary Wilson makes up the last of the last eight ties.
O’Sullivan is set to stay in China for a little while longer, having recently dubbed the country the ‘greatest place on earth’.