The pedigree is undeniable — but so are the warning signs
Historic dominance at the UK Championship. Ronnie first won the UK Championship in 1993, as a 17-year-old, and has since collected eight titles. That legacy — three decades of success — is unmatched.
Still obviously capable — just not always sharp. Some observers point out: if Ronnie finds form, there’s no one tougher to beat. But the problem lately isn’t talent — it’s consistency.
Increasingly selective schedule. He’s been cutting down on the number of tournaments he enters, focusing on fewer events — which limits his competitive match practice.
What experts are saying: doubts about desire, sharpness, practice
On “desire” and lifestyle choices
Former pro Alan McManus — himself a top-level competitor in his time — recently questioned whether Ronnie still has the “burning desire” needed to win majors like the UK Championship at 50. He suggested snooker needs to be a “lifestyle choice,” and it’s unclear Ronnie is fully committed to that anymore.
While some disagree with McManus, the point resonates: maintaining elite performance in snooker at 50 requires more than skill — it demands hunger, focus, constant practice.
On match sharpness — or the lack of it
Veteran champion Jimmy White argues that Ronnie’s bigger problem isn’t desire — it’s that he’s not getting enough match practice. He says that while Ronnie “is that good” that he could win, he “is not match sharp.”
That rustiness was visible recently: at the 2025 Riyadh Season Snooker Championship, Ronnie suffered a heavy loss to Shaun Murphy — a 0-4 whitewash — raising further doubts about whether he’s still sharp under pressure.
After his defeat at the 2025 World Snooker Championship (a 17–7 loss to Zhao Xintong), there have been whispers among former pros that he may be “undercooked” — still capable, but not as battle-ready as in his prime.
Wider context: tougher field + fewer matches, more risk
The current crop of players is deep and dangerous. The recent betting odds for the 2025 UK Championship, for instance, put Ronnie at 6/1 — behind favourites like top-seed Judd Trump and world champion Zhao Xintong (both 4/1) — underlining that many see the door open for a new champion.
Data-driven analysis of recent UK Championships shows a pattern: six different winners in the last six renewals. That suggests dominance by any single player — even someone like Ronnie — is increasingly rare.
Given his selective schedule, Ronnie is playing fewer competitive matches than many of his rivals. Less exposure means less match rhythm — which can be fatal in a high-stakes, pressure-intensive tournament like the UK Championship.
But there are still reasons to believe — and why it wouldn’t be a total shock
Ronnie has publicly admitted he’s still enjoying snooker. After a recent match he said that if his cueing is good, “results don’t really matter” — a sign he still finds joy in playing.
Past precedent shows that a lack of match time doesn’t automatically mean defeat: in 2013, Ronnie took a long break and still came back to defend his world crown at the Crucible.
The sheer quality of his game remains — when he’s dialed in, he’s arguably still the most dangerous player on the tour. That’s why even among doubters, few completely exclude him from contention.
What needs to happen for Ronnie to win #9
For Ronnie to defy the sceptics and claim a ninth UK title, several pieces have to come together:
1. Match sharpness — He needs consistent, high-pressure match practice. The current lack of competitive rhythm is probably his biggest handicap.
2. Motivation & focus — He must rediscover that “lifestyle” dedication: committing to practice, mentally preparing, and being willing to fight through tough moments.
3. Consistent cueing & rhythm — As recent interviews suggest, he’s still struggling to rediscover his old feel. If he can recapture it, his chances improve drastically.
4. Brilliance under pressure — Even with form and focus, bagging a title in a field full of hungry, sharp competitors requires excellence under pressure.
Conclusion — Realistic hope, but increasing uncertainty
There’s no doubting that Ronnie O’Sullivan has all the credentials: talent, history, and a level of natural ability that few ever reach. But at nearly 50 years old, with a lighter schedule, patchy recent form, and likely reduced burn
ing ambition, many in the snooker world believe he’s fighting against the odds.
