Pundit urges Ronnie O'Sullivan to make 'lifestyle change' in order to win record-breaking eighth world title

O’Sullivan exited the 2026 World Snooker Championship on Monday afternoon in Sheffield after being on the wrong side of an all-time Crucible classic.

The seven-time world champion - who sailed past He Guoqiang 10-2 in the first round on his record-extending 34th Crucible outing - led fellow ‘Class of 92’ graduate John Higgins 6-2 after their opening session before extending his advantage to five frames at 9-4.

However, four-time world champion Higgins strung together six successive frames to take the front, and whilst O’Sullivan stopped the rot and battled back himself, it was the Scot who emerged from a dramatic deciding frame for a memorable 13-12 win.

Despite having reached two finals this season at the Saudi Arabia Masters, and last month’s World Open, O’Sullivan has gone over two years without lifting a top-flight trophy. It is the first time in his long, illustrious career that he has gone back-to-back seasons without a professional title of any description.

O’Sullivan’s playing schedule has been light this term compared to his fellow top 16 peers. It was a similar case last season when he missed a string of tournaments after breaking his cue in frustration prior to the 2025 Masters.

The 50-year-old Englishman has played just three competitive matches on home soil this campaign - losing first round to qualifier Zhou Yuelong at the UK Championship, and his two assignments at the World Championship. This is likely to do with working restrictions that O’Sullivan has having been a resident of Dubai this season.

O’Sullivan didn’t put the graft in says McManus

Former Masters champion Alan McManus has been working as a commentator and pundit for TNT Sports during its live coverage of the 2026 World Snooker Championship from the Crucible.

Earlier this season, the Scot questioned O’Sullivan’s burning desire ahead his UK Championship tilt; as previously mentioned, the former eight-time winner of that title didn’t negotiate the opening hurdle.

Following O’Sullivan’s exit from this year’s World Snooker Championship, it was an area that former top 16 star McManus revisited in his analysis.

Responding to presenter Radzi Chinyanganya’s comment that O’Sullivan looked hurt after his defeat to Higgins, McManus said: "Good. He should be, because he didn't put in the graft for this tournament.”

Two-time ranking event winner McManus still feels that ‘The Rocket’ can claim an unprecedented eighth Crucible crown, but the record 41-time ranking event winner needs to change tack with time ticking against him now.

"I'm being harsh on him here” said the pundit. "The positives are that O'Sullivan in my mind and my opinion he's still got the juice to win this again, but that will only happen, probably, if he puts in the graft long term.

"I've said it before, this game not just is, but it has to be a lifestyle choice...when you get down to the bones of it, that's the way that it is.

"It's a lifestyle choice and it's Ronnie's choice and that's fine, but if he wants to win this thing again, and I think we all know he does, maybe he could change one or two things.”

O’Sullivan is scheduled to play in the 2026 World Seniors Snooker Championship at the Crucible next month - making his debut at that level - before competing in the inaugural Global Pluto TV Snooker 900 in Reading.

Whether his living arrangements change next season and he competes in more professional events is to be seen - this term he didn’t take part in any Home Nations Series event, the British Open, Masters, the Players or Tour Championships, amongst other tournaments he could have entered.

To view the full draw, results, schedule, and other information from the 2026 World Snooker Championship, visit our tournament information centre here.