Ronnie O’Sullivan is set to create more records this year by aiming to secure two world titles at the Crucible within a month after registering for the World Seniors Snooker Championship. Despite being 50 years old, O’Sullivan continues to be a fierce competitor on the professional snooker circuit and will now compete against other senior players. This spring, the renowned player, also known as the Rocket, will strive to claim his eighth World Championship title in his 34th consecutive appearance at the event.
Remaining in Yorkshire, O’Sullivan will mark his debut in the senior tournament, scheduled to commence on May 6 and run for five days. The World Seniors Snooker Tour has confirmed O’Sullivan’s participation in the championship, praising him as one of the sport’s most commercially successful and captivating figures. He will headline what is expected to be the strongest field ever assembled for a World Seniors event, joining other world champions such as Mark Williams, Stuart Bingham, and Ken Doherty.
Additionally, notable players like Jimmy White, Matthew Stevens, and Tony Drago will also compete in the tournament alongside O’Sullivan. The Chairman of the World Seniors Snooker Tour, Jason Francis, expressed excitement about O’Sullivan’s debut, emphasizing the significant impact his participation is expected to have on ticket sales and overall demand for the event.
Following the 2025 World Championship, the World Snooker Tour relaxed rules allowing professional players aged 45 or older and ranked in the top 64 to compete in senior events. O’Sullivan, with seven world titles to his name, aims to add another championship to his impressive resume after achieving success in 2022. Despite facing setbacks in the previous year’s competition, O’Sullivan’s determination to secure an eighth world title remains unwavering.
Stephen Hendry, a former snooker champion, has expressed his support for O’Sullivan’s pursuit of an eighth world title, emphasizing the significance of achieving success at a young age in the sport. Hendry highlighted his own proud records while acknowledging O’Sullivan’s exceptional talent and the challenges faced by young players in the competitive snooker arena.