Overview
- After a 6-1 win at the Shanghai Masters, O'Sullivan told the World Snooker Tour on Monday that he believes he has only two more chances — this year and next — to win an eighth World Championship.
- He has publicly ruled out playing qualifying matches in Barnsley and said being forced into qualifiers would amount to the end of his professional career.
- His world ranking has slipped to 12th after reduced tournament play, which raises the real risk he could fall outside the top 16 and lose automatic entry to major events.
- At 50, O'Sullivan described elite snooker as mentally and physically draining, saying he needs longer post-match recovery and that stamina limits shape his two-year timeframe.
- An eighth title would move him ahead of Stephen Hendry as the modern-era record-holder, and he plans to reassess whether to continue beyond 2028 if form and conditions allow.