‘He has the juice to win this thing’ – McManus urges O’Sullivan to put in the work
Video credit: TNT Sports
The seven-time world champion’s 2025/26 campaign ended at the Crucible on Monday when he lost a deciding frame to great rival John Higgins.
O’Sullivan’s appearance in Sheffield was only his eighth ranking event of the campaign, as he elected to sidestep a host of tournaments for various reasons.
He told TNT Sports following his loss to Higgins that he was enjoying his snooker again, which suggested he could be more active than in recent seasons in the 2026/27 campaign.
However, that notion has been cast into doubt, with O’Sullivan suggesting event organisers would need to dig deep to secure his participation.
“Any tournament I go to, they all know they have to get the chequebook out, so wherever I go, that’s standard,” O’Sullivan told the Mirror. “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 done well to get it that close’ – O’Sullivan takes positives from Higgins loss
Video credit: TNT Sports
As well as making it clear that appearance fees will sway his decision-making, O’Sullivan said his sponsors would also have a say in his schedule.
“If my sponsors are on board, then I’ll play, but I’m not two-feet in like pretty much most of the guys,” O’Sullivan 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 and 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.”
World Snooker was dealt a blow earlier in the month when it was confirmed that the Saudi Arabia Masters – an event with a £500,000 winner’s pot – would disappear from the schedule two years into a 10-year contract.
O’Sullivan has an academy in Saudi Arabia, but is not fazed by the developments coming out of Riyadh as he says he has other irons in the fire.
“I have other options, so I’m not really worried,” the 50-year-old said. ”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’s ‘got bills to pay’
O’Sullivan has one more event on his calendar in the present campaign, as he is slated to appear in the World Seniors Championship.
While not confirming he would be in attendance at the Crucible next month, he suggested a need to return to the table.
“I’ll go back to Ireland 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. Got a lot of people on the payroll.”
Watch and stream the 2025/26 snooker season, including the World Championship, live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.
