Ronnie O’Sullivan has named Llandudno, Wales and China as his favourite places to play snooker while the seven-time world champion isn’t particularly keen on Alexandra Palace.
The Rocket is through to his 15th Masters semi-final after seeing off Barry Hawkins 6-3 in a tense quarter-final clash. Speaking after the game, he was highly critical of his error-strewn performance and the state of the “disgusting” Alexandra Palace.
“For me playing the tournaments here I don’t enjoy them as much as the other places and other venues,” said O’Sullivan. “It’s not one I get excited about. I know it’s the Masters, but for me the most important thing is venues and facilities and stuff like that.
“For me, the meaning of the events becomes secondary because I like my comforts. This isn’t the type of place I look forward to coming to.
“The crowds are great and they do a great job with that, but for everything else maybe you should go and have a look around and maybe you’ll know what I’m talking about. My favourite place to play is China, I love the events out there.
“UK-wise, I like Llandudno, Llandudno’s nice. Other than that I’m struggling. I don’t like dirty. If I go somewhere where it’s dirty and damp I don’t like it.”
Luckily for O’Sullivan, he will be back in Llandudno next month when he takes to the Venue Cymru to compete at the 2024 Welsh Open. O’Sullivan has a busy 2024 ahead of him once his Masters campaign is wrapped up.
He meets Pang Junxu in the first round of the World Grand Prix in Leicester next week before heading to Barnsley to face Alfie Burden for a last-64 spot in the World Open, set to commence in March. After his qualifier, there is the Welsh Open, Players Championship and Championship League to worry about for the 48-year-old.
