Still going strong at 47 years old, the Rocket sits top of the world rankings, but that might not last much longer given that he has already opted not to play a number of ranking events this season.
The world number one is playing at the English Open this week, but could see either Luca Brecel or Mark Allen overtake him in the rankings, depending on how the three men perform in Brentwood.
Having first reached the top of the rankings over 20 years ago, O’Sullivan sounds like he could not care less whether he holds onto his spot or not, but does remember when it meant a huge amount to him.
The seven-time world champion understands why Brecel and Allen will be desperate to topple him, as neither have reached the pinnacle before, but having achieved so much in the game, he can no longer get excited about such things.
‘If I cared I would have probably played in all of the events to try and keep my world No.1 spot. I am not bothered,’ said O’Sullivan.
‘I have been No.1. It doesn’t mean anything. It did when I first got to No.1. I was really buzzing. But it doesn’t mean anything to me.
‘Obviously, I get why Mark Allen and Luca Brecel really want to get to No.1 because if you haven’t been No.1, to get there is a massive achievement.
‘A lot of the time I am quite flippant about my wins and what I have done in the game and I realise, what it is, is that I have had to go back 20-30 years and think about what it was like when I won the UK Championship. I was over the moon when I won the UK. Win the UK now and I am like, that’s done, move on.
‘I have to remind myself what it was like when I got to No.1 and it was one of the best feelings of my life. I don’t want to sound like I don’t appreciate success but once you have done everything there is to do, you don’t really get excited by it.
‘I still love the game. I still love competing. That is what inspires me to keep playing.’
MORE : ‘Who is this dude?’ – Ronnie O’Sullivan and Shaquille O’Neal’s unlikely link-up
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan slams ‘car boot sale’ UK events: ‘Have the whole tour in China’
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