Whenever Ronnie O'Sullivan decides to temporarily fulfil his awesome potential and breezes through a tournament as he did at the World Championships I'm reminded of an 18th century Italian composer called Antonio Salieri (bear with me). Salieri, if you believe the popular myth, was so jealous of the ease with which Mozart exceeded his musical achievements that it drove him to the brink of madness. Granted there's a world of difference between 18th century Italy and the Crucible theatre, though I wouldn't be at all surprised if some players harboured just a little of Salieri's resentment at the moment.
O'Sullivan cruised past all comers on the way to his third World Championship victory, never once looking in danger of losing on his way to lifting the trophy. Not only that but now he is again making noises about quitting the sport at only 32-years-old, stating "It is quite well-documented I struggle with the game and myself." Before adding, "Sometimes this week I was thinking 'If I win this, wouldn't it be nice to go out on a high as world champion?'"
Though I'm sure it's not meant in this way the message is clear, 'I'm so good at this that I'm getting bored.' If you practised 7 hours a day just to compete at elite level wouldn't that annoy you a little?
As a result of his now infamous outburst during the China Open, O'Sullivan will appear before the WPBSA this summer. I have a nasty feeling that a heavy fine or suspension could result in the most naturally gifted player ever to pick up a cue quitting in a cloud of bad feeling and bitterness. This would be a tragedy for the sport, its spectators and the other competitors.
O'Sullivan has at least a decade left in him if he so chooses, more than enough time for someone to make the leap (and it would be a leap) to near his level or a new player to emerge capable of competing with him on a regular basis. I still feel that we've yet to see the best of O'Sullivan, for him to quit before someone capable of pushing him emerges would be a tremendous waste.