Ronnie O'Sullivan is set to return to The Crucible for 'quite a lot of money', according to Barry Hawkins. The seven-time World Champion recently reached the last-16 of the 2026 World Snooker Championships in Sheffield but is now expected to compete in the World Seniors Championship, which begins later this week.
Hawkins on O'Sullivan's Motivation
Speaking to 247Bet, Hawkins said: 'It’s unusual that Ronnie’s playing in the Seniors, but I reckon he must be getting paid quite a lot of money to be there. He’s obviously been invited there to promote it, so I’m sure he’ll be getting a nice appearance fee.'
Hawkins expressed surprise at O'Sullivan's decision, noting the demanding schedule: 'I was a bit surprised to see him get involved, because he’s got such a big build-up for the World Championship, and he’ll have been putting himself through the wringer with the practice for that, and it’s another thing he’ll have to dedicate his time to.'
However, he acknowledged that the Seniors event offers a more relaxed atmosphere: 'Although at the Seniors, he will just be under less pressure. It will just be a bit of fun for him, so maybe that’s the reason why he’s having it. He can just enjoy himself after the gruelling possible 17 days at the Crucible, at the proper World Championship.'
O'Sullivan Favourite for Seniors Title
Hawkins believes O'Sullivan will be the player to beat: 'You’d have to put Ronnie as the favourite, especially in the sort of form he showed at the World Open. Although, there are plenty of great players who are going to be in it. Ali Carter, Stuart Bingham, and Matthew Stevens, to name just a few. The table at the Seniors looks like it’s got bigger pockets too, which may be a bit more of a leveller for the other players.'
Retirement Not on O'Sullivan's Mind
Despite O'Sullivan's past hints at retirement, Hawkins does not see it happening soon: 'I don’t think he will be thinking about retirement. I think Ronnie simply loves the game. It gives him structure and routine in his life.'
Hawkins added: 'We all saw in China that he’s still been practicing hard behind the scenes, and from what I understand, he’s going to give it his all for the next few years and will be trying to get himself back out of this so-called lull he’s been having for the last three or four years.'
He also noted that O'Sullivan's move to Dubai for tax reasons may have limited his event appearances, but that situation could change: 'I know that when he moved to Dubai, it was for tax reasons, so he was only back in the country for so many days of the year. That may have factored into the number of events he’s played in. So I think maybe after this year, that will all finish, and he’ll be allowed to play in more events again.'
