RONNIE O’SULLIVAN’S “phenomenal” practice partner has admitted that he could retire this year.
Anthony Hamilton, 53, has put in the hours practicing with O’Sullivan over the years, previously claiming to have played over 5,000 frames against the Rocket.
AlamyRonnie O’Sullivan’s practice partner has given a huge hint on his retirement[/caption]
GettyAnthony Hamilton could retire from snooker this year[/caption]
But the pair have only faced off competitively on 14 occasions, with Hamilton winning just twice in their clashes.
Nottingham-born Hamilton, who is brilliantly nicknamed ‘The Sheriff of Pottingham’, is considering hanging up his cue after winning just one ranking event throughout his career.
The world number 63 has revealed that failure to qualify for the 2025 World Snooker Championship would probably see him walk away from the table for good.
In an interview with the WST Hamilton said: “This [the World Championship] could possibly be my last tournament as a professional, so I just thought I may as well give it 100 percent.
“That is what I’ve always done. You don’t want to take your foot off the gas right at the end of your career.”
Going on to explain that he would probably retire if he doesn’t get the results he needs at The Crucible, he added: “I would definitely play in Q School. I think the pros that drop off have a bit of an advantage over the amateurs.
“You may as well do it and make use of the advantage. I haven’t made any decisions, but more than likely if I didn’t qualify then I would retire.
“That isn’t 100%, but I think it is a 90% chance I would retire and start coaching.”
GettyHamilton is looking at moving into coaching when he walks away from the table[/caption]
Inside Ronnie’s colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O’Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
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Hamilton has been on the circuit for some 34 years now and is a four-time World Championship quarter-finalist.
But his career has been plagued with injuries after a heroic attempt to save a friend from a mugging left him with wrist issue, and a botched laser-eye surgery caused him to have horrible eye impairment.
Hamilton recalled the moment he knew his snooker career wouldn’t be the same after he had surgery on his eyes.
He said: “From day one my eyes were done. As soon as I had the operation they were done for snooker forever. That will never change.
“I knew instantly my career was over after that operation. The first shot I played, I knew it.
“That has been my biggest problem and the worst thing was the whole point of it was to give me a career swansong. That is a real shame.
“There was no reason I couldn’t have kept playing well. I’ve just been potting balls to stay on the tour. I still enjoy trying to win with this handicap, in a sadistic way.”
Practice partner Ronnie O’Sullivan has been the subject of swirling retirement rumours too.
The seven-time world champion has long dropped hints about ending his career and recently pulled out six tournaments.
World number one Judd Trump reckons O’Sullivan’s absences are a sign that the game of snooker will soon be waving goodbye to an icon.
Trump said: “Because Ronnie is starting to miss more events, people realise that they might not see him that much longer.
“Maybe now is the time to appreciate what you have taken for granted for the last 20 or 30 years. When he’s missing an event, everyone notices.
“The world will always move on, there will always be other players coming through.
“But I think everyone realises that we’re at a point where we won’t see him many more times in some of the big events like the World Championship.”
AlamyJudd Trump reckons O’Sullivan is nearing retirement too[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
