Ronnie O’Sullivan has shown his true colours by insisting he would ‘love’ to win an eighth World Snooker Championship.
The Rocket has often given a negative outlook on competing at recent tournaments but he has admitted he will be ‘trying my best’ to win a record-breaking eighth title.
No snooker player has won more than O’Sullivan’s tally of seven World Championships, with Stephen Hendry sharing that accolade.
The 48-year-old has had a superb season so far, winning five tournaments including the first two Triple Crown events, bringing in £1,141,500 in prize money.
Ronnie O’Sullivan insists he would ‘love’ to win an eighth World Snooker Championship
Getty
O’Sullivan triumphed at the UK Championship in December before winning a record-extending eighth Masters in January.
Despite a fine winning run at the table, O’Sullivan has repeatedly said he is not enjoying competing at tournaments.
He took a break between January and February, instead focusing on sponsorship duties and exhibition events.
O’Sullivan’s downbeat persona threw doubt over his long-term future in the sport and questioned his desire to win more tournaments.
But he has now put some of those doubts to rest ahead of this year’s World Championship.
O’Sullivan insists an eighth title is something that catches his eye, although he believes he will need luck along the way.
He said: “Yeah I’d love to. I’d love to try and win the Crucible. It’s a hard tournament, long time, 17 days. So a lot can happen there.
“I’d love to win that another time to make it eight but there’s so many good players around.
“So you have to get a little bit of luck, play some good snooker at the right time. I’ll be going there trying my best.”
O’Sullivan was speaking after his win over Michael White in the second round of the World Open on Tuesday.
He won 5-3 in Yushan to set up a clash against China’s Lyu Haotian in round three on Wednesday.
O’Sullivan only recently said he was not excited about playing at the World Championship.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Ronnie O’Sullivan says he will need luck to win another World Snooker Championship
WST
He told The Stomping Ground: “Not really. I’m just looking forward to getting to Sheffield.
“I’ve got my bike up there. I’ll have my friends up there. We booked a house. I’ll be cooking pretty much every day.
“Just keeping myself fit and healthy and just having some good friends around me.
“It will be a good 17 days.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan has often said he is not enjoying competing in snooker tournaments
Getty
In January, O’Sullivan revealed his lack of enjoyment in playing, saying: “I’ve got to really consider whether I can carry on feeling the way I am out there.
“I’m not getting any enjoyment out of how I’m hitting the ball. I definitely need a break at least.
“I’d rather cue well and lose than cue awfully and win tournaments. I get no satisfaction from it. I just really don’t.”
