Ronnie O’Sullivan has already outlined retirement plan regardless of Masters result

Ronnie O’Sullivan clashes with Mark Allen during tense game

Regardless of how Ronnie O’Sullivan fares at the Masters this week, the snooker legend already feels that it will be his time to retire within the next four years. The Rocket has yet to secure any major silverware this season but his best chance is at the Masters this weekend.

O’Sullivan became the favourite for the title when Judd Trump tested positive for coronvirus and Neil Robertson and Mark Selby suffered shock defeats.

The 45-year-old came through a thrilling opening match against Ding Junhui to set up a showdown with John Higgins on Friday evening.

Fans are keen to see the charasmatic O’Sullivan continuing to compete at the highest level for many years to come.

But even winning the Masters title may not convince the six-time world champion to play beyond his 50th birthday.

“I’ve accepted I’ve got another three or four years maximum of playing top-level snooker,” O’Sullivan told the Metro last month.

“I don’t want to play much longer than that, so the next three years I just want to enjoy with an eye on playing on a tour that is maybe a bit more suited to how much I want to play.

“So I can compete but I’m not going to be a slave to playing tournament after tournament.”

O’Sullivan went on to explain why he feels playing beyond 2026 is too much for him.

“I can’t play and compete the way it is at the moment, they’re literally playing every day,” he added.

“It is every day. It doesn’t seem like there’s a separation from one tournament to the next.

“I would still like to play into my mid-50s, I still think I could make maximums and play to a very high standard, I don’t think I’m going to be able to compete week-in-week-out, physically you just don’t recover.

“I’ve noticed if I go deep into a tournament now, then for two or three days I’m knackered. I can’t keep up with the younger people, it’s not so much a physical thing, it’s more of a mental and just an age thing.”

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