O'Sullivan in semis before 'final farewell'
Source: AFP |
May 3, 2013, Friday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
DEFENDING champion Ronnie O'Sullivan eased into the world championship semifinals on Wednesday and said he had only returned from a self-imposed exile because he needed the money to pay his children's school fees.
The 37-year-old, who had not played all season after winning last year's world title, outclassed fellow Englishman Stuart Bingham 13-4 to set up a semifinal with Judd Trump, who had edged former world champion Shaun Murphy 13-12 earlier.
O'Sullivan, who looks well set for a fifth world title, said this would be his "final farewell" at the championships, although he is contracted by his sponsor to play 10 tournaments next season.
It is not the first time that the engaging but temperamental Englishman has alluded to retiring full-time from the sport he has lit up but he said that, while some enjoyed playing, he suffered too much and was tired of not being happy.
"It's nice to be in the semifinals but I didn't really miss snooker," he said.
"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."
The 37-year-old, who had not played all season after winning last year's world title, outclassed fellow Englishman Stuart Bingham 13-4 to set up a semifinal with Judd Trump, who had edged former world champion Shaun Murphy 13-12 earlier.
O'Sullivan, who looks well set for a fifth world title, said this would be his "final farewell" at the championships, although he is contracted by his sponsor to play 10 tournaments next season.
It is not the first time that the engaging but temperamental Englishman has alluded to retiring full-time from the sport he has lit up but he said that, while some enjoyed playing, he suffered too much and was tired of not being happy.
"It's nice to be in the semifinals but I didn't really miss snooker," he said.
"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."
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