Ronnie O'Sullivan's latest setback at the Wuhan Open could have signalled the end of an era. Instead, the seven-time world champion has made it clear: he is not ready to walk away from professional snooker, even as his struggles with mental health intensify and his ranking event drought stretches beyond two years.
O'Sullivan's 6-3 loss to Chang Bingyu in the semi-finals on Friday was more than just another defeat. It was a stark reminder of the toll that elite sport can take, both physically and mentally, even on the game's most decorated figures. "The disease came back big time today," O'Sullivan admitted, referencing his ongoing battle with depression and anxiety. "If I'm honest I don't think I will ever get over it."
Despite the disappointment, O'Sullivan is not ready to surrender. He has publicly committed to playing for another 18 months, determined to give himself a final chance to compete at the highest level. "I don't want to throw the towel in just yet. I've committed to playing until then. I want to give myself a chance. I'd hate to finish my career on performances like that."
His semi-final opponent, 24-year-old Chang Bingyu, seized the moment with clinical precision. After O'Sullivan clawed back from a two-frame deficit to level at 2-2, Chang responded with back-to-back frames after the interval, then closed out the match with breaks of 69 and 48. For Chang, it was a breakthrough: his first win over 'The Rocket' and a ticket to his maiden Wuhan Open final. "Every time I play against Ronnie, it's a pleasure," Chang said. "He probably wasn't in the best form today, and I managed to take some of the opportunities that came my way."
The result means O'Sullivan's wait for a ranking title continues, while Chang advances to face Zhao Xintong, the new world number one, in Saturday's final. Zhao, who captured the world title in 2025, dispatched Xiao Guodong 6-2 in the other semi-final, producing two half-centuries and a commanding 124 break to seal his place in the title match.
For snooker, O'Sullivan's ongoing presence is more than a matter of nostalgia. His candour about mental health and his refusal to quit underlines the reality that even the sport's greatest are not immune to personal battles. Yet, his willingness to keep competing-despite the setbacks-signals a rare resilience. If O'Sullivan does bow out in 18 months, it will be on his own terms, not dictated by a single defeat or a run of poor form. The snooker world, and its fans, would do well to pay attention: the game's most compelling figure is not done yet, and the next chapter may be his most revealing.
