Mark Williams Doubts Ronnie O’Sullivan Will Play at World Championship

Mark Williams Casts Doubt on Ronnie O'Sullivan's World Championship Return

Snooker legend Mark Williams has expressed uncertainty about whether long-time rival Ronnie O'Sullivan will compete in this year's World Snooker Championship. O'Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, has not played competitively since January when he controversially smashed his cue during a defeat at the Championship League.

Despite remaining fourth in the world rankings, the 49-year-old has withdrawn from several tournaments in 2025, most recently pulling out of the Welsh Open just hours before his scheduled match in February. This has led to growing speculation about his participation at the Crucible.

In contrast, Williams, who recently turned 50, is preparing to defend his Tour Championship title in Manchester this week. The Welsh potting machine sits one spot behind O'Sullivan in the rankings and plans to compete at the World Championship in May, despite revealing a recent eyesight issue.

When asked about O'Sullivan's potential return, Williams admitted, "Look, I don't know what the situation is, but if I were to have a guess now, I'd probably say he's not going to play. I don't know, I'm just guessing."

The prospect of O'Sullivan surpassing Stephen Hendry's record of seven world titles or the substantial prize money on offer is unlikely to sway his decision, according to Williams. "He's pulled out of the last tournaments, so obviously he's not ready or doesn't want to play. And he's not going to play in the Worlds for £500,000 to the winner or to take over Hendry's mantle."

Williams, who is aiming for his second tour title of the season after winning the Champion of Champions in November, will face world No.9 Ding Junhui in the first round of the Tour Championship on Monday.

Key Takeaway:
As the snooker world awaits Ronnie O'Sullivan's decision on whether to compete in the upcoming World Snooker Championship, fellow legend Mark Williams has cast doubt on his participation. O'Sullivan's absence from recent tournaments and his controversial behavior earlier in the year have fueled speculation about his future plans. Williams believes that neither the prize money nor the opportunity to break Stephen Hendry's record will influence O'Sullivan's decision, suggesting that the seven-time champion may not be ready or willing to play at the Crucible this year.