Ronnie O’Sullivan says he is unfazed by the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters disappearing from the calendar, claiming he is paid to appear in every tournament he plays in.
The Rocket was beaten by John Higgins in the second round of the World Snooker Championship on Monday, losing 13-12 in an incredible Crucible encounter with his old rival.
It ends a trophyless season for the 50-year-old, with his last ranking event coming at the World Grand Prix in January 2024.
Last week, as the World Championship rumbles on, it was announced that the big-money Saudi Arabia Masters has come to an end after just two editions, despite a 10-year contract initially being signed.
O’Sullivan has been heavily involved in Saudi Arabia’s venture into snooker, with an academy set up in his name in Riyadh, but he does not sound too worried about the nation stepping back from their interest in the sport.
Asked for his thoughts on the news, O’Sullivan made it clear that he feels well compensated for any tournament he plays in, because if he didn’t he would not turn up.
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‘Any tournament I go to, they all know they have to get the cheque book out, so wherever I go that’s standard,’ O’Sullivan said at the Crucible on Monday.
‘If that stops then I stop. Wherever it is, Saudi, Qatar, China, here, whatever it is, I always make sure I’ve got some sort of fee coming because otherwise people know that I won’t turn up.
‘I have other options so I’m not really worried. Hopefully Saudi still want to do some stuff, but we’ll have to wait and see, then I’ll make my decisions based on whatever happens there.’
O’Sullivan did not specify where those appearance fees come from, whether it would be from promoters or sponsors at certain events.
The seven-time world champion played a reduced schedule this season, but it still included eight ranking events and it sounds like it will be a similar plan next campaign.
‘It depends, if my sponsors are on board then I’ll play, but I’m not two-feet in like pretty much most of the guys,’ he said. ‘I’m just grateful to be playing, and enjoying my playing and that’s it. And if I don’t enjoy it, I’ll take time out. We’ll see. It’s too hard to start speculating about next year.
‘I’m just enjoying myself I’m having good fun, I’m just enjoying life whatever I’m doing, so win, lose, draw, there’s always a safety net below.
‘I’m not two feet in. I try my nuts off when I’m out there, but I also appreciate that I’m not a slave to the game.
‘I have to take a result like that, and I can probably handle that a lot better than if I’m all two feet in, that would really hurt to lose a game, but I feel like i”ve had a good workout, I’ve had a good game and I’ve kind of surprised myself, and I can still play a bit.’
O’Sullivan is scheduled to play in the World Seniors next month, back in Sheffield, and says that he intends to do so after returning to Ireland, where he is based for part of the year.
‘I’ll go back to Ireland tonight and just chill there and come back whenever I’ve got to play,’ he said. ‘It’s work, mate, got to go to work. Got bills to pay.’