CumbrianRam Posted November 6, 2012 Share Posted November 6, 2012 Reigning world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has pulled out of the remainder of the 2012-13 season because of "personal issues", and his manager has warned he may not return. The 36-year-old, who won his fourth world crown in 2012, looks set to miss the defence of his title in 2013. Asked whether O'Sullivan was looking to leave snooker permanently, his manager Django Fung told BBC Sport: "Yes. "Let's hope not. You never know with Ronnie - he's an emotional player." After beating Ali Carter 18-11 to win his fourth world title in May, O'Sullivan spoke of his desire to take a six-month sabbatical from the sport and one month later he said he was taking time off from the game. Fung confirmed that O'Sullivan was in a self-imposed exile "due to personal problems with his health" but stressed that his client was "mentally fine" and that "in six months time he may have decided to come back". "We all have personal problems and some can handle them better than others," said Fung. "When he has these personal problems, Ronnie finds it difficult to concentrate on snooker. "He's had glandular fever which has been dragging on for some time. "He also has issues with his children and getting access and he's finding it difficult with all the travelling. "He needs to get access to see the children and sometimes that coincides with tournaments." In a statement, World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said: "[O'Sullivan] has some personal issues which he needs to resolve and we wish him all the best for the future." After winning the world title, O'Sullivan criticised World Snooker, the sport's governing body, accusing chairman Hearn of "blackmailing" players and criticising plans for a revamped 50-week, 27-event circuit. Announcing his break from the game the following month, he said he would not sign the players' contract because it was "too onerous". As a result, he made himself ineligible for any World Snooker-sanctioned event. He missed the first three ranking events of the season and slipped to number 17 in the world rankings - the first time he has been outside the top 16 since he entered the game's elite 19 years ago. O'Sullivan returned to non-ranking action in September, losing in the first round of a Players Tour Championship event in Gloucester to world number 84 Simon Bedford. He has since played six 'Snooker Legends' exhibition matches against Jimmy White around the British Isles, concluding with O'Sullivan beating the six-time world finalist 5-4 in front of 1,300 fans in Liverpool in October to level the series at 3-3. O'Sullivan had been set to return to action at the International Masters in China, which was won on Sunday by new world number one Judd Trump, but he was advised by his doctor to withdraw. [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/20221617]http://www.bbc.co.uk...nooker/20221617 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
froggg Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Sad very sad.....Praps I'll offer to do the pre match prep talk..... 'http://www.dcfcfans.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' /> 'http://www.dcfcfans.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/sad' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=':(' /> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mozza Posted November 7, 2012 Share Posted November 7, 2012 Hope he doesn't quit for good, I understand his reasons tho.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianRam Posted January 21, 2013 Author Share Posted January 21, 2013 Ronnie O'Sullivan has until the end of February to decide whether to end his break from snooker and defend his world title at the Crucible in April. The four-time champion, 37, said in November he would miss the rest of the season because of "personal issues". But he attended the Masters as a spectator and World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn said O'Sullivan could still enter the World Championship. "He has until 28 February. He knows the date and it's up to him," said Hearn. O'Sullivan, who has battled depression in recent years, sparked renewed speculation about his future with a surprise appearance at the Masters tournament at Alexandra Palace in London at the weekend. He watched the semi-final on Saturday night between Graeme Dott and Mark Selby, with Selby winning the match 6-5 and going on to take the title for the third time. "If I know Ronnie I think the reason he came Saturday night is because he's sitting at home watching it on telly saying 'I used to be good at that game'," said Hearn, who speaks to the player regularly. "He's got a lot of issues he's trying to clear up. He knows the sport doesn't revolve around one person, but he knows we love him and we miss him. "He's probably thought about coming back for the World Championship but you can't ever say what Ronnie is really thinking. He does tend to change his mind every 24 hours." O'Sullivan was ranked nine at the end of last season, and although he has provisionally dropped to 20 after missing several tournaments, as defending champion he would qualify for the World Championship as top seed. The Sun newspaper reported earlier this month that he has been working as a volunteer farm labourer in Essex. O'Sullivan's World Championship wins 2001: 18-14 v John Higgins 2004: 18-8 v Graeme Dott 2008: 18-8 v Ali Carter 2012: 18-11 v Ali Carter "I've been cleaning out stables and pig sties, taking down fences, putting rubbish into barrels and clearing mud," he told the paper. "It has been mainly manual work, also getting big bales of hay in to feed the animals. I was getting so bored I had to do something, and needed a goal to get out of bed in the morning. "There are personal things I need to sort out before I can even think of a return. I have until February to make that decision about the Crucible, anyway, but I am still playing every couple of weeks at my mum's house." Some leading players have said they would welcome a comeback. Selby said: "He brings a lot to the game. Every time he plays, he always gets big crowds because he's entertaining to watch and he's a great player and one of the all-time greats. "I think it will be a shame if he doesn't come back for the World Championship, especially because he's defending champion." Beaten Masters finalist Neil Robertson added: "For me, if he comes back, he will be the favourite. He's such a talented player, he doesn't really need to keep practising. As long as he's practising once every couple of weeks, he'll be all right. We'd love to have him back." Despite his absence, O'Sullivan is rated about 8-1 fifth favourite with most bookmakers for the world title, behind Judd Trump, Selby, Robertson and John Higgins. [url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/snooker/21124668]http://www.bbc.co.uk...nooker/21124668 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alph Posted January 21, 2013 Share Posted January 21, 2013 Oh just **** off Ronnie. Great to watch but he gets on my nerves. Waste your talent then, stack shelves in Aldi, fall out of love with the game that made you a fortune but stop attention seeking. 'Oh I worked on a farm for fun' Pi55 off or play Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CumbrianRam Posted February 26, 2013 Author Share Posted February 26, 2013 Ronnie O'Sullivan will defend the World Title at the Crucible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
froggg Posted February 26, 2013 Share Posted February 26, 2013 Ronnie O'Sullivan will defend the World Title at the Crucible. Excellent...... can't see him being match 'fit' though 'http://www.dcfcfans.co.uk/public/style_emoticons/<#EMO_DIR#>/wink' class='bbc_emoticon' alt=';)' />[size=4] [/size] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
froggg Posted March 4, 2013 Share Posted March 4, 2013 http://www.bet365.com/home/FlashGen4/WebConsoleApp.asp?affiliate=365_118526&cb=10881614543 Some very generous odds there for the punters amongst us Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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