Shaun Murphy has given his thoughts Ronnie O’Sullivan future (Image: Getty)
Shaun Murphy has spotted a change to approach to amid continued doubts over the Rocket’s future. The seven-time world champion has barely played this season, missing tournaments including the Masters, the Welsh Open and the World Grand Prix since and pulling out of the round of Championship League games in January.
O’Sullivan’s next scheduled tournament appearance isn’t until the which begins on April 19. Whether the world No.4 takes part in the Crucible showpiece remains to be seen. In the long term, there are question marks over the 49-year-old’s future in the game. However, rival doesn’t believe we have seen the last of O’Sullivan in competition snooker. The Masters champion, who admits he and Rocket are not close, believes he has merely decided to play in tournaments when he sees fit.
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Speaking on which he co-hosts, Murphy said: “I don’t think this is the end for Ronnie, but I think we are seeing a change in as much as he’s really hammering into this thing that’ll he’ll play as he wants.”
Murphy also thinks of the carrot of winning an eighth world title and pulling ahead of Stephen Hendry could help extend O’Sullivan’s career. He said: “I can’t see, whilst he’s tied with Stephen Hendry on seven World Championships, that he won’t keep playing. I can’t see that.
“They don’t hand World Championships out just for turning up. And just because you’re Ronnie O’Sullivan, it doesn’t mean you’re going to win another one. He’s, of course, won seven, so he knows more about it than most. But I don’t think it’s the end. He’s doing what he’s said he’ll do all along.
Murphy doesn’t think O’Sullivan is finished in the game (Image: Getty)
“Do it on his terms, as he wants and when he does want to walk away, he’ll do it in the manner in which he decides. He’s made enough money and been successful enough at snooker to have earned the right to do that.
“What we’re seeing is somebody who has things going on in his life elsewhere and doesn’t feel right playing at the moment. Let’s not forget he smashed his cue up last time out. That’s a huge time out.
“It’s not like a golfer getting a new club or a tennis player getting a new racket. Not having a cue that you’re used to can be career-ending.”
Delighted to announce that I’ll be heading to Riyadh 8-10th April.So for exclusive coaching from the brilliant Nigel Bond, a Q&A with me as well as watching me practice please come done.I’d love to see you all there!!
— Ronnie O’Sullivan (@ronnieo147)
O’Sullivan is due to in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where he has a snooker academy in his name. The Rocket will hold a public practice session with academy coach Nigel Bond and a question-and-answer session.
“Delighted to announce that I’ll be heading to Riyadh,” he said on social media. “So for exclusive coaching from the brilliant Nigel Bond, a Q&A with me as well as watching me practice please come down. I’d love to see you all there!!”
Murphy wasn’t impressed with the promotional material for the event, which read: “Join a Q&A with Ronnie O’Sullivan,” before adding: “Be close to Ronnie and watch him during preparation for the World Snooker Tour.”
Murphy said: “I found the wording of that advert slightly concerning. Halfway down the poster it said ‘Be close to Ronnie’. I read that and thought I wasn’t sure about it. It sounds a bit creepy to me. What are we selling here?”