Mark Selby speaks out on a snooker future without Ronnie O’Sullivan.

Mark Selby speaks out on a snooker future without Ronnie O’Sullivan.

 

At the 2025 UK Championship, veteran champion Mark Selby offered a thoughtful — and at times wistful — assessment of what the sport of snooker might look like without the presence of Ronnie O’Sullivan. Selby’s remarks, coming after O’Sullivan’s shock first-round exit, underline both the void that would be left and the enduring strength of snooker’s broader talent pool.

context: O’Sullivan’s early exit and what it means

O’Sullivan, who entered the UK Championship for the first time since May, was stunned by a 6–4 defeat to rising star Zhou Yuelong. That loss, just days before O’Sullivan’s 50th birthday, has only heightened speculation over whether the sport is approaching a future in which its most iconic figure competes far less often — if at all.

In the same tournament, Selby progressed with a 6–2 win over Lei Peifan — and after his match, he spoke candidly about what snooker stands to lose if O’Sullivan steps away.

Selby’s view: “The game will survive — but it loses something special”

Selby didn’t mince words about the irreplaceable aura O’Sullivan brings:

“It has that extra vibe,” Selby said. He described how being in the same session as O’Sullivan brings a unique energy — the crowd’s reaction, the atmosphere — that “you don’t really get with any other player.”

He added that, even among the tour’s top names — including John Higgins, Mark Williams, Judd Trump or Zhao Xintong — “you still don’t get that atmosphere.”

Yet, despite acknowledging what would be lost, Selby stressed that the sport’s future remains “healthy.” He pointed to the emergence of younger and still-active talents who he believes can carry snooker forward even if the legend finally winds down his career.

In his words: “The game will still survive when Ronnie goes — it’ll be a shame, of course … but we’ve still got some great players coming through.”

A changing of the guard — and a new chapter in snooker

Selby framed a future without O’Sullivan not as a tragedy, but as a natural transition:

He paid tribute to O’Sullivan’s legacy, calling him “the greatest player to ever play the game.”

At the same time, he seems confident that snooker will evolve. With the next generation — younger stars and rising talents — already making waves, the sport might shift from being defined by one megastar to being characterized by a broader pool of excellence.

This suggests a shift away from reliance on a single superstar toward a more diversified and competitive era in snooker.

What this says about snooker beyond just one champion

Selby’s remarks highlight a few key truths about snooker in 2025:

Legacy vs sustainability: While O’Sullivan’s presence has undeniably elevated snooker — drawing crowds, attention and magic — the game is not hostage to a single name. The depth of talent ensures that the sport can remain vibrant, even if one of its icons fades out.

Atmosphere matters — but isn’t everything: The unique energy O’Sullivan brings will be hard to replicate. But snooker is more than atmosphere; it’s competition, skill, drama. With players like Zhao, Trump, and others rising, snooker still has plenty to offer.

Evolution is inevitable: All sports go through generational shifts. As O’Sullivan edges toward the twilight of his career, snooker faces a moment of reinvention — one that could define a new chapter for fans and players alike.

Final thought

Mark Selby’s reflections on a snooker world without Ronnie O’Sullivan strike a balance between nostalgia and realism. While acknowledging the unique spark O’Sullivan brings to tournaments, he refuses to view his potential departure as the end of snooker’s relevance. Instead, Selby frames it as a turning point — a transition that could open the door for fresh stars to shine, ensuring the sport endures long after the era of its greatest icon fades.