Ronnie O'Sullivan Threatens Snooker Retirement

Ronnie O'Sullivan, a seven-time world snooker champion, has stated he would retire immediately if snooker adopted darts-style walk-on music, expressing strong opposition to such changes during a talkSPORT interview. While he remains a prominent figure in the sport despite a lack of tournament wins this season, O'Sullivan has been vocal about the need for snooker to attract younger audiences, noting that interest in the sport is higher in countries like China and Saudi Arabia. He emphasized that snooker should not compromise its identity for entertainment value, indicating a preference for maintaining traditional elements of the game. O'Sullivan also commented on the possibility of the World Championship relocating from the Crucible Theatre, suggesting that players are treated better at international events. Despite his concerns, he acknowledged that snooker has an aging audience in the UK and struggles to compete with sports like football and tennis for youth engagement. His comments reflect ongoing debates about the future direction of snooker and its appeal to new generations.