Latest news with #RonnieO'Sullivan
Daily Record
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Record
John Higgins in the frame as Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager makes bold 'Class of 92' prediction
The iconic trio of Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams and John Higgins, along with players inside the world's top 64, can now play in certain events on a rival tour Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager believes at least one member of snooker's iconic 'Class of 92' will feature in the 2026 World Seniors Championship at the Crucible following a relaxation of eligibility rules. The illustrious trio of O'Sullivan, Mark Williams and Scottish legend John Higgins, along with players ranked within the world's top 64, were formerly prohibited from participating in World Seniors Snooker (WSS) tournaments due to an accord with the World Snooker Tour (WST). Jason Francis, who as well as managing the Rocket is chairman of WSS, had been campaigning for the WST to allow all players aged 45 and above to compete in their events. When negotiations failed to yield a satisfactory agreement, WSS terminated its agreement with WST after May's World Seniors Championship in Sheffield. Now, any competitor who meets the age criteria, regardless of their ranking status, is permitted to participate in WSS tournaments, provided they don't conflict with WST events. The development has conjecture about whether O'Sullivan, 49, Williams, 50, and Higgins, 50, who collectively hold 14 world titles, might compete in two separate World Championships at the Crucible next spring. The participation of any 'Class of 92' member would represent a significant coup for WSS. Francis told the Mirror:"They're available to me right now. If the commercial terms are right, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins can all play World Seniors Snooker UK broadcast events. "A lot of players have expressed an interest in supporting the World Seniors and would like the chance to play in what they like. I would be staggered this season if you didn't see at least one of the Class of 92 in World Seniors events, maybe more." Regarding seven-time world champion O'Sullivan's potential involvement, Francis added: "The interest will be, 'Will Ronnie O'Sullivan play at the Crucible at the World Seniors Championship?' I don't know at this point but he can, that's the point." Matthew Stevens, a former UK Championship runner-up and currently ranked 52nd in the world, has already seized the opportunity presented by the lifting of restrictions. The 47-year-old will be part of the field at the British Seniors Open in Derby, which will be broadcast on Channel 5 between Boxing Day and December 28. Francis said: "While the headline will always be that (the Class of 92), let's look at the other players who now become eligible for another earning opportunity. "People like Matthew Stevens are looking at this rule change and thinking, 'Hang on a second, I get the chance to play at the Crucible again.' If we get the bigger names in, we should get prize money up, then these things start snowballing. "Now that we've broken away from that restrictive contract, we're able to compete, albeit we have an age group in the seniors. We're not in a position where we can broadcast Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong yet. But there are no (other) restrictions as long as we put our events on when World Snooker don't have an event on." Earlier this year, NST Worldwide, of which Francis is a director, launched a £10.2m lawsuit in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against WST and snooker's governing body, the WPBSA. NST claims that "unlawful and anti-competitive practices" have been used to prevent snooker players "playing in tournaments, events, or matches organised by competitor promoters." Victory for NST would potentially lift playing restrictions further. WST, which is owned by Barry Hearn's Matchroom operation, has said it "rejects" and "will defend" the claims against it.
The Sun
4 hours ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Shanghai Masters snooker 2025 LIVE RESULTS: Ronnie O'Sullivan and Zhao Xintong begin campaigns TODAY
THE Shanghai Masters is rolling on at speed with the last-16 phase set to conclude TODAY. Ronnie O'Sullivan and world champion Zhao Xintong will both get their tournaments underway as they face Barry Hawkins and Chris Wakelin respectively. Kyren Wilson is already through to the quarter-finals with a 6-5 win over Si Jiahui. Judd Trump has also joined Wilson in the quarter-finals, picking up a comfortable 6-2 win over Neil Robertson last night. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS Follow our live blog below...
Daily Mirror
6 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Ronnie O'Sullivan's manager makes bold 'Class of 92' claim with snooker restrictions lifted
Snooker legends Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams could play in two Crucible World Championships next year following the lifting of restrictions Jason Francis expects at least one of the snooker's 'Class of 92' to grace the next World Seniors Championship at the Crucible after the easing of player restrictions. The iconic trio of Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is managed by Francis, Mark Williams and John Higgins, along with players inside the world 's top 64, were previously barred from competing in World Seniors Snooker (WSS) events due to an agreement with the World Snooker Tour (WST). WSS, of which Francis is chairman, had been lobbying the WST to allow all players over the age of 45 to be eligible for their events. A compromise could not be reached, leading to WSS breaking off the arrangement with WST following May's World Seniors Championship in Sheffield. Now, any player who meets the age criteria, regardless of their ranking, can play in WSS tournaments provided they don't clash with WST events. That has naturally led to speculation over whether O'Sullivan, 49, Williams, 50, and Higgins, 50, who boast 14 world titles between them, will play in two different World Championships at the Crucible next spring. The presence of any member of the 'Class of 92' would be a major boost to WSS. Francis said: 'They're available to me right now. If the commercial terms are right, Ronnie O'Sullivan, Mark Williams, John Higgins can all play World Seniors Snooker UK broadcast events.' Francis added: 'A lot of players have expressed an interest in supporting the World Seniors and would like the chance to play in what they like. I would be staggered this season if you didn't see at least one of the Class of 92 in World Seniors events, maybe more.' On whether his client, seven-time world champion O'Sullivan, will be involved, Francis said: 'The interest will be, 'Will Ronnie O'Sullivan play at the Crucible at the World Seniors Championship?' I don't know at this point but he can, that's the point.' One top-64 player who has already taken advantage of the lifting of restrictions is former World Championship runner-up Matthew Stevens, 47, who will be part of the field at the British Seniors Open in Derby, which will be broadcast on Channel 5 over Christmas. Francis says there has been great interest from players like Stevens, currently ranked 52nd in the world. He said: 'While the headline will always be that (the Class of 92), let's look at the other players who now become eligible for another earning opportunity. 'People like Matthew Stevens are looking at this rule change and thinking, 'Hang on a second, I get the chance to play at the Crucible again.' If we get the bigger names in, we should get prize money up, then these things start snowballing. 'Now that we've broken away from that restrictive contract, we're able to compete, albeit we have an age group in the seniors. We're not in a position where we can broadcast Judd Trump and Zhao Xintong yet. But there are no (other) restrictions as long as we put our events on when World Snooker don't have an event on.' Earlier this year, NST Worldwide, of which Francis is a director, launched a £10.2m lawsuit in the Competition Appeal Tribunal against WST and snooker's governing body, WPBSA. NST claims that 'unlawful and anti-competitive practices' have been used to prevent snooker players 'playing in tournaments, events, or matches organised by competitor promoters.' Victory for NST would potentially lift playing restrictions further. WST, which is owned by Barry Hearn's Matchroom company, has said it 'rejects' and 'will defend' the claims against it.
The Irish Sun
7 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals plan to become world champion in different sport after retiring from snooker
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has got his eyes on conquering another sport after already becoming one of the greatest snooker players of all time. The Rocket, 49, is widely thought of as the best player to ever grace the baize and he reckons he can reach the top in another sport too. Advertisement 2 Ronnie O'Sullivan has set his sights on becoming world champion in another sport Credit: Getty Despite not retiring from snooker just yet, O'Sullivan has his sights on becoming pool world champion when he does finally call it quits. The seven-time world snooker champion has said he will give Chinese eight-ball pool a crack when the day comes, but has vowed to give snooker at least another two years to rediscover his form. Speaking to the at the opening of a new snooker club in Hong Kong, JJ8 Club , O'Sullivan said: "Chinese eight-ball is very, very popular now in China. "Many players play in big tournaments in China, and for someone like me, when I finish playing snooker, then I will play Chinese eight-ball. Advertisement READ MORE IN SNOOKER "It's a big sport in Asia, especially China, so when I retire from snooker, I want to become world champion in Chinese eight-ball." It comes after He said recently: "I said I wanted to at least do two proper years. "Put everything I was doing on the back burner. I don't feel like I have that luxury anymore to do other things and try and compete. Advertisement Most read in Snooker 2 O'Sullivan is committed to another two years playing snooker Credit: Reuters CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS "I think I owe it to my career to focus just on playing for the next two years, at least, and just see if I can rediscover some decent form. "Try and finish my carer on a good note and not how it's felt for the last three or four years. That's my main goal." Advertisement Zhao Xintong's classy act towards Ronnie O'Sullivan revealed after knocking legend out of World Snooker Championship O'Sullivan has described his play as "awful" and "a struggle" in recent times, but still sits fifth in the world rankings and Now the snooker icon is preparing for next week's Shanghai Masters, where he will face Barry Hawkins or Wu Yize in his opening clash next Wednesday. Inside Ronnie's colourful career FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight. The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it. O'Sullivan And the Rocket's He has While the controversial cueist reckons he Despite His And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their Check out all our
RTHK
23-07-2025
- Sport
- RTHK
O'Sullivan hopes to be on cue to repeat Shanghai wins
O'Sullivan hopes to be on cue to repeat Shanghai wins Ronnie O'Sullivan will be competing at the Shanghai Snooker Masters that will run from July 28 to August 3. Photo: RTHK Snooker legend Ronnie "The Rocket" O'Sullivan said on Wednesday that unwavering dedication and discipline are required to succeed at the highest level as he prepares for a major tournament in Shanghai next week. The Shanghai Snooker Masters will run from July 28 to August 3. O'Sullivan has clinched four titles at the Masters event – three consecutively between 2017 and 2019 as well as in 2023 – with Judd Trump claiming the most recent title in 2024. "My whole life I've been preparing to be the best I can be, so obviously you have to practice and keep sharp, but I'm ready all the time," O'Sullivan said at an event in Hong Kong. "I work very hard to become the king of snooker, but there's many, many, very, very good players [like] Zhao Xintong, world champion. [He is a] fantastic player. "I like to still be able to compete with these young guys who are very very good. I feel blessed." O'Sullivan also highlighted the privilege of performing for his fans as a key factor in managing pressure, adding that enjoying the game also helps alleviate the demands of top-level competition. Both Trump and O'Sullivan obtained their Hong Kong residency through the Quality Migrant Admission Scheme last year.
