Ronnie O’Sullivan is aiming for a ninth UK Championship crown in York (Image: VCG via Getty Images)
There’s nothing wrong with motivation as he goes in search of a record-extending ninth UK Championship. That is the view of snooker legend Steve Davis, who believes different rules apply to O’Sullivan when it comes to the calendar.
The Rocket consecutively in the Autumn, citing medical reasons. He has since played in the International Open and the Champion of Champions tournament. But Davis isn’t concerned about the 48-year-old’s fire inside as he bids to land another UK Championship title, 21 years after his first.
“I think it’s worked well for Ronnie the last couple of years he’s been doing it,” Davis admitted in our . “He doesn’t have anything to prove, so he doesn’t need to play in every event. There is a problem with getting enough ranking points so that he stays at the top end of the game.
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“I don’t think Ronnie would want to be in a situation where he has to qualify for the Crucible. He has to play in events to stay in the top 16 if that’s still a motivating force. But different rules apply to Ronnie, he’s absolutely paid his dues within the game.
“It’s not that he doesn’t love the game. He’s been playing for so long and it’s incredible what he’s done, but if he doesn’t want to play in events because he’s got other things to do or that makes him stronger in the main events then so be it.
“I think that’s great. The worst thing is if you’re playing events because you feel like you have to and you’re just going through the motions. That’s not the right mental state to be turning up in a tournament for, you’re unlikely to get the best out of yourself.”
Steve Davis has spoken about Ronnie O’Sullivan ahead of the UK Championship (Image: Getty)
While the World Championship is still almost half-a-year away, conversation naturally turns to O’Sullivan’s quest for an eighth snooker crown. Davis doesn’t believe world title number eight is the Rocket’s main motivating factor, even if he’d love to finally go clear of Stephen Hendry.
“I do feel that he’d love to get an eighth, that would be something that would give him a buzz,” Davis admits. “But in order to do that you’ve got to remain relevant and competitive. If it is the case that it’s the only thing on his mind, it would be difficult to play for the rest of the season.
“It’s proof that he’s still entering tournaments that he still loves the game.”
Follow the UK Snooker Championship across TV, Radio 5 Live and online from 23rd November