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RONNIE O’SULLIVAN is quitting the UK and relocating to the Middle East.
Now his Crucible campaign is over – as he lost in the semi-finals for the first time in 19 years – the Rocket will pack his bags and leave for overseas.
GettyRonnie O’Sullivan has revealed he will be quitting the UK to live overseas[/caption]
PAIt comes after his Crucible semi-final defeat against Zhao Xintong[/caption]
AlamyHe is likely to move to a city in the United Arab Emirates, including Dubai, pictured, or Abu Dhabi[/caption]
Long before his 17-7 hammering by Zhao Xintong, which ended with a session to spare, O’Sullivan – who turns 50 in December – had planned to move abroad.
His Essex home was seen online up for sale a few months ago and following changes in his personal life, he is heading to the Gulf for a new chapter in life, with the UAE the likely destination.
O’Sullivan, who has a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia, said: “There’s going to be a few changes in my life, so I’ll see how that goes.
“I think I’m going to be moving out of the UK as well this year.
“So I don’t know how that’s all going to pan out, to be honest with you.
“I’m going to start a new life somewhere else. I’ll still try to play snooker but I don’t know what the future looks like for me really.
“Am I not playing again? I’m not saying anything. I’ve said it so many times.
“I’m not saying anything other than I’m moving away soon. There’s a lot more important things in life to worry about than a game of snooker.
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“For me, it’s a big part of my life, but I’ve got to try and figure out what my future looks like, whether it’s playing or not.
“I’ll be moving away to the Middle East. See how it goes. I might be back in six months, who knows!”
O’Sullivan had intended to play for the next two years at least but concedes that would be reduced if he continued to perform as poorly as he did on Friday.
It is 31 years since O’Sullivan exited the World Snooker Championship in such embarrassing fashion with a spare session left.
The sport’s greatest potter has only played NINE matches this year, having pulled out of five events on “medical grounds” as he struggled behind-the-scenes.
His biggest issue and biggest regret was snapping his cue in half in January in a moment of rage.
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
The cue he brought to the Crucible had several tip changes and a different ferrule, from titanium to brass, but he will not chuck this one in the bin.
O’Sullivan said: “I won’t throw it. The merchandise people want it. So, it’ll be up for sale. I won’t be throwing it.”
In 2022, O’Sullivan beat Judd Trump in the final to claim a seventh world title and this was the closest he had come to grabbing that historic No.8.
Stephen Hendry, who shares the record of seven crowns, can sleep easily for the next 12 months or so.
But O’Sullivan said: “It doesn’t really bother me to be honest with you. I’ve never fallen into that thing of: ‘Oh, I want to win an eighth.’
“I just want to come here and enjoy the snooker to be honest with you.”
World Snooker Championship 2025
WE are now into the final days of what has been a THRILLING World Snooker Championship!
A new world champion will be crowned this year after Kyren Wilson crashed out in the first round.
Heavyweights such as John Higgins and Mark Selby have also fallen as we head to the final on Sunday and Monday.
Ronnie O’Sullivan was eyeing a record eighth world title but crashed out at the hands of the brilliant Zhao Xintong – who reached the final qualifying as an amateur after his ban.
In the other semi-final, World No 1 and tournament favourite Judd Trump is facing Mark Williams.
You can follow every frame of the tournament LIVE – plus the latest news, interviews and reaction – as it happens with our dedicated BLOG.Latest News
‘It’s a struggle’ – O’Sullivan gives worrying interview after defeat O’Sullivan snubs job offer for the rest of the tournament Ronnie hailed for ‘lovely scenes’ and ‘gracious act’ in defeat Steve Davis on how a ham sandwich made him the bad boy of snooker Barry Hearn on the future of snooker at the CrucibleSnooker Explained
FULL schedule and results for 2025 How much prize money can be won? Who are the BBC snooker presenters and pundits? Who has the most snooker world titles in history? What is on Zhao Xintong’s bowtie?
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