Ronnie O'Sullivan to Base in Dublin for World Snooker Championship
Ronnie O'Sullivan, the seven-time world snooker champion, has announced he will be based in Dublin for the upcoming World Snooker Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield. The competition, part of snooker's prestigious Triple Crown Series, begins this Saturday.
Tax Reasons and Travel Strategy
Due to his current residence in Dubai, O'Sullivan will fly to the championship from Ireland for tax purposes. He plans to commute back and forth from the UK over the coming weeks as the snooker season concludes. This move follows his recent victory at the inaugural John Virgo Trophy in Ireland, where he defeated John Higgins at Goffs.
O'Sullivan commented on his form, stating: "I started playing alright a couple of weeks ago. For three years I have been very poor, pretty much every day. So I didn't think I'd ever have another day where I'd feel good. But the last month I've been feeling alright. So it was nice to feel comfortable at the table."
Connection to Ireland
The snooker star expressed his fondness for Ireland, noting he spends about three months a year there. "I've always loved coming to Ireland. It has always had a special place in my heart. But having lived here the last year or so, it's been great. I wouldn't have it any other way," he said. He praised the electric atmosphere at Irish venues, particularly Goffs.
Wellbeing and Travel Demands
O'Sullivan revealed that moving to Dubai has significantly improved his wellbeing by reducing the brutal travel demands of his career. He explained that frequent travel and jet lag had previously left him in a "zombie state" for about 90 days a year, impacting his performance. "It wears you down after a while. It's the jet lag more than anything. You never really recover," he said.
He emphasized the importance of mental and physical readiness for competition, stating that his previous travel schedule went against his principles and values. "I knew I could never play my best if I wasn't mentally and physically in tune. Although I do all right, I knew I wasn't playing my best because it just wasn't possible. I was so tired, I was smashed; I just wanted to go to sleep a lot of the time," O'Sullivan added.
This strategic base in Dublin aims to optimize his performance by minimizing travel fatigue as he competes in one of snooker's most significant events.
