RONNIE O’SULLIVAN says he is loving his new life in Dubai – and loving the fact he now has a wife.
Snooker’s greatest ever player made two significant lifestyle changes this year and both of them have given him major contentment in his personal life.
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In June, the Rocket got married to long-term partner Laila Rouass, an actress and former Strictly Come Dancing contestant, in a low key ceremony in East London.
Few people knew about it until he announced the news on his Instagram page with a photo from the big day and the caption: “We finally made it official!! Mr & Mrs O’Sullivan.”
And then the couple packed up their belongings and moved to the UAE, which is an easier commute to events in China and his Saudi Arabia snooker academy.
On the benefits of heading to sunnier climes, O’Sullivan, 49, told SunSport: “It’s really good. I’ve got a great practice facility there, which was one of the main reasons for going.
“I was struggling to find somewhere to play. It was either get a train up to Sheffield or try to move to Sheffield.
“But my wife wasn’t too keen on Sheffield. So she said we either go Spain or Dubai.
“And I thought, well, Dubai is nearer China. Obviously it’s in the Middle East.
“All the tournaments that I play and all the work that I do is there. It just made sense to go to Dubai.
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“Really enjoying it out there. Great gyms. I’m enjoying that side of it.
“I had some friends over there before that played snooker and they’ve helped me get into Dubai life.
“I’ve met some really nice friends and fitted in really well. So yeah, it’s great.
“I’m not a sunbather, but I’d much rather the heat than cold, if that makes sense. Spring and autumn are my favourite times.”
Like most newly-married men, using the word ‘wife’ instead of girlfriend or fiancée in conversation has taken some getting used to.
O’Sullivan – who has three children from previous relationships – said: “Everyone just knows where they are a bit more.
“It probably feels a bit more mature, I suppose. It does take a while.
“At first I was like, oh, to say that word (wife), but now it feels pretty normal. It’s nice. Everything’s good. Everyone’s happy, which is the main thing.”
O’Sullivan has pulled out of three consecutive tournaments on medical grounds but his next appearance on the baize will be at the Xi’an Grand Prix, which starts on October 7.
In the meantime, he has thrown his support behind the launch of Pluto Snooker 900, the world’s first 24/7 dedicated snooker channel, which will stream free and on demand on Pluto TV.
The Snooker 900 format consists of 900 seconds (15 minutes) on the table, a 20-second shot clock, ball in hand for fouls and a sudden-death blue-ball deadlock shootout to settle ties.
The channel – which will initially broadcast 18 hours a week of live snooker from Monday to Wednesday – launches on Monday (October 6) with a Legends Week.
This will star golden oldies Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, John Parrott, Tony Drago, Joe Johnson and Tony Knowles.
Over the next 12 months, there is more than £600,000 in prize money pledged for amateur players.
And episodes of O’Sullivan’s acclaimed coaching series, The Rocket Method, will also be screened.
O’Sullivan, the seven-time world champion, said: “I remember filming the masterclass and after day three, having been on my feet for 12-13 hours a day, I couldn’t even walk.
“That was probably the hardest work we’ve ever done because we really had to crash it out.
“You’ll see every bit of advice from beginner to the real advanced stuff.
“I put it all on the table there. It’ll be great for any snooker or pool player or any cue sports player that wants to improve their game. I’ve really gone into big detail.
“Hopefully this new channel launches some snooker ambition in young players. It’s going to be like a bit of talent spotting.
“The 900 format, which sharpens the mind, is going to give people a chance to feel what it’s like to play on TV. Feel what the pressure and that nerve is like.”
