**Ronnie O’Sullivan Outlines Future in Snooker After Rekindling Romance with Laila Rouass**
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s intentions for the upcoming snooker season are beginning to fall into place, following significant developments both professionally and personally. The seven-time world champion, often referred to as ‘The Rocket’, appears to be charting a new path after a turbulent 2024/25, marked by both intense sporting drama and changes in his private life, notably reuniting with partner Laila Rouass.
O’Sullivan’s past season was far from straightforward. In a display of frustration during a Championship League match in January, O’Sullivan famously broke his cue. This incident was swiftly followed by his withdrawal from high-profile competitions, including the Masters at Alexandra Palace, raising questions over his commitment to the professional circuit. Such behaviour led many fans to wonder about his future in the sport.
Despite these hiccups, O’Sullivan staged a dramatic return for the World Championship in April, equipped with a brand-new cue. Demonstrating the resilience that has defined much of his career, he advanced to the semi-finals, even while contending with lingering equipment issues. Ultimately, he was defeated by Zhao Xintong, who later went on to win the tournament. After this, O’Sullivan revealed plans to relocate to the Middle East, where his own snooker academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, represents a new chapter both in terms of lifestyle and professional focus.
Away from the baize, O’Sullivan’s personal life has seen a positive turn. After a high-profile separation lasting nine months, he has reconciled with longtime partner, actress Laila Rouass. The couple are understood to be considering a move to Dubai, a bustling metropolis just a two-hour journey from O’Sullivan’s Riyadh-based academy. This geographic shift could mark a significant change in the snooker star’s life, potentially providing him a quieter environment away from the constant demands of fame in the UK.
Jason Francis, O’Sullivan’s long-time manager, has clarified the player’s intentions for the immediate future. Speaking to the media, Francis said, “Ronnie’s spending time in the Middle East. Fans can expect to see him at the Shanghai Masters later this summer, following a break from competition in the UK.” Francis also noted that the snooker legend was adapting well to his temporary relocation, alluding to the relative anonymity O’Sullivan now enjoys compared to the ever-present attention at home.
Francis further hinted at a more selective competitive calendar for his client. “Ronnie will choose his events with care this season,” he observed. “While he may not play a full schedule, he’ll work to properly prepare for the tournaments he does enter.” This approach, Francis said, reflects both O’Sullivan’s commercial appeal and his advancing years, with his 50th birthday on the horizon. The sportsman’s enduring commercial pull, he suggested, will continue even as emerging stars like Zhao Xintong and Judd Trump gain prominence.
Reflecting on O’Sullivan’s run to the Crucible semi-finals, Francis described it as nothing short of remarkable considering the setbacks faced. “He was down a cue just weeks before the event and still made it to the last four. Save for one poor session, he matched Zhao stride for stride,” he remarked. Francis mused how a potential final between O’Sullivan and Mark Williams could have capped off the tournament, while also celebrating the significance of a Chinese world champion for the sport at large.
Looking ahead, O’Sullivan’s immediate focus will be the Shanghai Masters, an invitational event drawing the world’s top sixteen players alongside the next four highest-ranked Chinese competitors. With a total prize fund of £825,000 and the winner set to receive £210,000, the tournament represents both a sporting challenge and a financial incentive for the game’s elite.
While O’Sullivan’s plans on and off the table continue to evolve, his enduring influence on snooker is evident. As his personal and professional lives enter a new phase, speculation will undoubtedly persist about just how many more magical moments ‘The Rocket’ has to offer. The next season, it appears, will see him balancing ambition and renewal in equal measure.