Ronnie O’Sullivan says snooker is just a job to him but he also admits he is “greedy” and “loves a bit of success” as he chases a sixth UK Championship title in York. O’Sullivan has already been victorious in two ranking events this season, having won the English Open and Shanghai Masters. He feels this season will be a success even if he fails to add to that tally but will be desperate to secure more silverware between now and the World Championships in April. With world number one Mark Selby, who beat him in last year’s UK Championship final, knocked out by Scott Donaldson on Saturday, the ‘Rocket’ will already be sensing a chance for glory at the Barbican Centre.
O’Sullivan has won the World Championship five times and the Masters on seven occasions and a sixth UK crown would see him equal Stephen Hendry’s tally of 18 Triple Crown titles. “If I don’t do anything for the rest of the season it’s already been successful,” he said of his gains this term already. “But I like to do well because I am greedy. I love a bit of success.”
O’Sullivan, 41, says he is still enjoying his snooker at this point in his life, though he describes it as “a job” and isn’t sure he will emulate his great friend Jimmy White by playing on competitively into his mid-50’s. White made it through to second round at the UK Championship, where he went down 6-2 against Kurt Maflin, but O’Sullivan admires the fire that still burns inside the ‘Whirlwind’. “Jimmy loves playing and that’s great for Jimmy, but for me it’s just a job and I go and give a professional performance,” O’Sullivan added. “Jimmy really has the desire to win and put in some great performances. I still do but I am a bit more clinical about it. “I see it as a vehicle to enjoy my life and do other things really.” O’Sullivan is 15/8 favourite to win the UK Championship, while Judd Trump can be backed at 5/1 to lift the title next Sunday.
UK Championship odds available at Dafabet.