Ronnie O’Sullivan takes parting shot at Milton Keynes as he reveals delight at escaping snooker bubble

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN insists a year in Milton Keynes has driven him snooker loopy. The Rocket, 45, has played in ten tournaments at the MK Stadium this season, with the venue offering a hotel on site making it easier to implement Covid protocols.  But reigning world champion O’Sullivan insists that the novelty of an isolated retail […]

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN insists a year in Milton Keynes has driven him snooker loopy.

The Rocket, 45, has played in ten tournaments at the MK Stadium this season, with the venue offering a hotel on site making it easier to implement Covid protocols. 

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Ronnie O’Sullivan is thrilled to be out of Milton Keynes after ten tournaments in the Covid bubble[/caption]

But reigning world champion O’Sullivan insists that the novelty of an isolated retail park in the Buckinghamshire new town has well and truly worn off. 

There is now only this week’s Cazoo Tour Championship at Celtic Manor in Wales and then the Betfred World Championship at the Crucible in Sheffield left for O’Sullivan this term. 

But he reserved a parting shot for MK similar to his attack on former English Open venue Crawley.

O’Sullivan said the best thing about the Sussex town was ‘the M23 out of it’.

World No2 O’Sullivan said: “I am just glad that I haven’t got to come back to Milton Keynes this season.

“I am done there now… I have done my time! 

“I am not sure I could ever come back to the place. I was lucky, I didn’t stay here as much as some of the other players depending on how strict the bubble was. 

“So I dipped in and out a bit. But I did one tournament where I stayed from start to finish and it was not good for the soul. 

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O’Sullivan took a swipe at MK just like he did at former English Open host Crawley[/caption]

“So I am delighted I am not back there for sure for the rest of this season…and I just don’t know about next season. Who does know? 

“I suppose Barry Hearn might have an idea. Maybe he has done a job lot deal and will stage snooker, darts, pool, ping pong and fishing all there at once. 

“You’d have to build a lake for the fishing, maybe they’ll stick a little lake out there in the car park. But let’s hope not.” 

O’Sullivan will open up today’s Tour Championship tournament – taking on long-time rival John Higgins in the first of the quarter-finals. 

And O’Sullivan has a point to prove against the Scot after Higgins, 45, was surprisingly declared the greatest player of all time ahead of the Rocket in second, based on a maths algorithm. 

Meanwhile Mark Williams celebrated his 46th birthday by claiming a 23rd career ranking title and edging back into fifth place on his own in the all-time list. 

The three-time world champion won the quickfire best-of-three frame Pro Series tournament in Milton Keynes by finishing top of the final group of eight. 

Just last week world No1 Judd Trump had moved level with Williams on 22 titles.