Ronnie O’Sullivan on brink of snooker history – but eighth World Championship title could spell heartache for fans

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN heads to the Crucible in three months’ time on the brink of snooker history.

And if he ends up achieving his goal at the World Championship, would that be the ideal place to bow out and finally pack up his cue?

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Ronnie O’Sullivan celebrates coming from 4-0 down to beat World No2 Judd Trump 10-7 in the final of the World Grand Prix[/caption]

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O’Sullivan still has the spirit of old as he bids to break more records[/caption]

Ever since he turned professional in 1992, the Rocket has been ripping up the rulebook and rewriting the history books.

Even at the age of 48, he remains the biggest attraction in snooker and four titles this season alone, which have seen him bank £810,000 in prize money, underline why he is the man to beat in Sheffield this spring.

In early December, O’Sullivan won a record-extending EIGHTH UK Championship crown.

Earlier this month, the sport’s finest cueist won a record-extending EIGHTH Masters.

And he will drive up the M1 in mid-April aiming to win a historic EIGHTH world title – he shares the record tally of seven triumphs with Stephen Hendry.

That would mean 8-8-8 across the Triple Crown events, the biggest, most lucrative events in the season.

Throughout his career, O’Sullivan has teased us about retirement and quitting.

Even last week he was talking on TV about how he derides no enjoyment from his performances because they are not perfect and how he is finding tough right now.

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That is despite being on a 14-match winning streak that started in late November.

There are no immediate plans to quit – he has talked about playing for the next 3-4 years – but he needs to rediscover his love and passion for the sport.

And if he overtakes Hendry, what else will be left for him to target and prioritise?

O’Sullivan, who will soon take a break from competitions, said: “I have a lot of experience now, I have won a lot of tournaments.

“I have been around a while. I have learned a lot about the game.

“I’m probably a better all-round player than I have ever been.

“Listen, what are we now? Middle of January. I have got three months now to try and get some consistently in my game.

“I think you need it going into Sheffield. You don’t have to play great to win it. You need to be steady.

“I would like to find a little bit of consistency between now and then and then go to Sheffield and try and enjoy it. You know, enjoy it for a change.

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The Rocket showed his hunger is as great as ever as he slugged it out with Ali Carter on his way to a 10-7 triumph in the Masters final[/caption]

Ken Doherty, the 1997 world champion, felt “saddened” to listen to an interview last week in which O’Sullivan talked about his lack of satisfaction from the day-to-day grind.

As far as the Irishman is concerned, there would be no better place to walk away from the game if he has the Crucible crown nestled in his car boot on the road back to Chigwell.

Doherty, 54, said: “Ronnie has given so much to the game, so much joy to followers over the years.

“Maybe he’s come to that crossroads in his life where maybe if he wins the eighth World Championship, it might be time for him to say: ‘Look, I’ve gone out on the top…’

“He could still play exhibitions and still loves playing in China. But I think it might be the right time if he feels that way.

“He’s playing the best snooker. He says there that he doesn’t like beating people who want it more.

“Well on Sunday night in the Masters, Ali Carter wanted that title as much as he did.

“He fought tooth and nail to beat him and was successful in the end.

“He still has that competitive spirit in the end, even though he says he might not.

“When he gets back on that table, he’s a different animal. He still gives a lot of great entertainment and been a talisman in snooker. But his happiness is more important.”