The popular refrain to every mention Ronnie O'Sullivan made to his impending retirement. Not that it was ever taken too seriously. Ronnie's been threatening to retire for almost as long as he's been able to hold a cue, yet it's never seemed a serious prospect. Until now.
Anyone who knows anything about the game knows that Ronnie O'Sullivan is a complex character. His personal issues have been raked up by the press for years, and many feel that it's a wonder he's achieved the success he has. At the same time, the 3-time World champion and 4-time UK and Masters champion has to be one of the biggest underachievers in sport. His talent is unrivalled - I defy anyone to name a player - Reardon, Davis, Hendry, Higgins - who could match beat Ronnie O'Sullivan at his best. Only yesterday I re-watched (for the umpteenth time) his 5 minute 20 second 147 break - a feat which will never come close to being matched. Watching O'Sullivan on song is a privilege, and any snooker fan is prepared to put up with the slumps in form, the rudeness, even the infamous walkout, just for a chance to see the Rocket play again.
Because "the game needs Ronnie". This was certainly true a few years ago. But now? With the rise of charismatic and fearless potters like Neil Robertson and Judd Trump, the dapper jester Mark Selby, and wannabe bad boy of snooker Mark Allen, do we need the brooding unpredictability of O'Sullivan? Is there still a place for him at the top of the pile, when John Higgins has become the world's most consistent player and greatest matchplayer, winning 3 of the last 5 world titles? Even Mark Williams has made a return to something like his world-beating form, shooting up the rankings in the last 18 months.
This isn't the first slump Ronnie's experienced. Before he won his 3rd world title in 2008, he had a doldrumic period. But that 2008 championship showcased some of his most dominant play ever, thrashing the lamb to the slaughter that was Ali Carter with ease to lift the trophy. Earlier this season, during the final stages of the Premier League (which he won for the 10th time), it looked like some of the old fluency was returning, and his first round encounter with defending Masters champ Ding Junhui yesterday was proof that he can still produce the highest quality snooker.
But the reality is this: snooker has entered an era where every player, not just the journeyman, needs to pack his bag and be prepared to globetrot to keep his ranking. With new events springing up across the board, it's not enough just to eye the old favourites. Ronnie has personal experience of this - skipping the last two PTCs, coupled with some poor form of late, has seen him drop to 16th in the rankings. Any lower, and he needs to enter the qualifying cubicles. Is that an arena O'Sullivan can handle? For a man who has the adoration of any crowd he entertains, is there enough reward in playing in dark, confined spaces, just to qualify for another event with low prize money?
Who knows what will happen? Ronnie O'Sullivan clearly loves the game, but whether that love will be enough for him to change his lifestyle is another matter. He'll play qualifiers for the World Championship if necessary, but if he enters next season ranked 20th we might need to fear the worst.
Does snooker need Ronnie O'Sullivan? Just ask the 1500 people who watched him finish off Ding Junhui yesterday afternoon in the Ally Pally. They'll applaud and cheer Higgins, Ding, Robertson, Williams, and many more. They love Judd Trump and Mark Selby. But to hear the roars that greeted every pot as he finished with a stylish 126, to see the crowd on their feet, to sense the electricity in the air as he gave a trademark modest wave to the audience...
Snooker might be moving on, Ronnie. But don't go just yet.
