Ronnie O'Sullivan casts doubt over Welsh Open return in 2025
- Published
Only John Higgins has won the Welsh Open more times than four-time champion Ronnie O'Sullivan
Ronnie O'Sullivan has cast doubt over whether he will compete at the Welsh Open next year.
The world number one withdrew from the event in Llandudno earlier this month to protect his mental health.
O'Sullivan, 48, still spent the week working as a TV pundit at the event he described as among his favourites on the snooker calendar.
But he suggested he would prioritise the more lucrative events in Asia in 2025 as he reduces his workload.
"I love Llandudno - it's probably up there as one of my favourite venues and places to come - so relaxed and quiet," he told BBC Wales Sport.
"I know I wasn't playing, but I just love the tournament, the week and being around the venue. That's why I wanted to come."
O'Sullivan pulled out days before the tournament due to "stage fright brought on by anxiety" a week after withdrawing from the German Masters for similar reasons.
And he was unsure whether he would play at Venue Cymru in 2025 as he aims to juggle competitions at home and abroad.
"It depends," said the seven-time world champion when asked if he would return next year.
"It's kind of first-come-first-served with tournaments and promoters. If they definitely want me in the event, then they have to approach me and seal that deal.
"There's only so many tournaments I can play in, and the Far East and Asia is where all the big events are.
"I get looked after out there. If I was to play them and not do so well then I'd maybe do a few more UK events, but with all the travelling, it's hard for me to do everything.
"I need to have a bit more of a breather especially as I'm getting nearer 50."
After pulling out of Llandudno, O'Sullivan saw his 16-match winning run end with a shock 6-0 loss to Mark Selby in the Players Championship in Telford.
But he has already won two of snooker's Triple Crown events this season - the Masters and UK Championship - and fans will hope to see him go for the hat-trick at the World Championship in April.
Winning for the eighth time in Sheffield would put O'Sullivan ahead of Stephen Henry for the most world titles in the modern era, but he is playing down talk of another Crucible triumph.
"I don't really want anything. I've set my stall out. I've got my sponsors, the work that I do and my exhibitions. I'm kind of tied up. I know where I'm going for the next four or five years," he said.
"And then I just try to fit in whatever snooker I can on the main tour. It's such a tough, tough tour that I don't want to put all my eggs in one basket.
"I just play in as many events as I possibly can, and hopefully I keep my ranking so don't have to go back to (qualifying competition) Q School!"
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