Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre buzzed with tension on April 23, 2025, as Ronnie O’Sullivan, the seven-time world snooker champion, roared back into competitive form. The man they call “The Rocket” dispatched long-time rival Ali Carter with a decisive 10-4 win in the first round of the World Snooker Championship, booking his spot in the second round. For a player who hadn’t swung a cue in anger since January, when he snapped his stick in frustration, this was a statement. O’Sullivan’s return wasn’t just a win—it was a reminder of why he’s still the sport’s biggest draw.
The match kicked off Tuesday, with O’Sullivan looking rusty after a three-month hiatus. He’d pulled out of five of the last six World Snooker Tour events, citing medical grounds, and even admitted he was “scared to go near a snooker table.” Yet, against Carter—a two-time Crucible finalist who’s no slouch—the 49-year-old found his groove. The first session ended with O’Sullivan clinging to a 5-4 lead, both players trading errors and flashes of brilliance. Carter’s break of 107 matched O’Sullivan’s own century, but the Rocket’s knack for capitalizing on mistakes gave him the edge.
Wednesday’s session was where O’Sullivan turned the screws. He reeled off three centuries in five frames, a blistering display that left Carter scrambling. The final scoreline, 10-4, flattered O’Sullivan’s dominance. Carter, who’d overcome a neck injury to qualify, couldn’t keep pace. Their history—marked by a shoulder-barge incident in 2018 and a war of words after last year’s Masters final—added spice, but the match stayed civil. No fireworks, just O’Sullivan’s ruthless precision.
This wasn’t the O’Sullivan who’d doubted his participation until the last minute. On April 17, he’d confirmed he’d play, driven by pride in never missing a Crucible appearance since turning pro in 1992. He’d prepped with a new cue in Saudi Arabia, where he’s an ambassador for snooker’s growth. That preparation showed. His next challenge? A best-of-25 clash against Pang Junxu, who upset Zhang Anda 10-7. It starts Saturday, with sessions Sunday and Monday.
O’Sullivan’s path to a record eighth world title is alive. The Crucible, hosting its 49th championship from April 19 to May 5, remains his stage. Defending champion Kyren Wilson fell early to Lei Peifan, and world No. 1 Judd Trump leads Zhou Yuelong 6-3. But all eyes are on O’Sullivan, who’s chasing history. He’s not done yet.