'You just can't take this game for granted' - Ronnie O'Sullivan cautious despite dominant win over Stephen Maguire at Xi’an Grand Prix
Published 09/10/2025 at 17:36 GMT+1
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It has been an almost perfect start to the Xi'an Grand Prix for Ronnie O'Sullivan, who is looking to end his ranking-event drought with glory in China. The 'Rocket' saw off Stephen Maguire with apparent ease on his way to the last 16, but he highlighted the need to avoid complacency and the possibility of being "humbled". O'Sullivan next faces Jak Jones in Xi'an.
O’Sullivan: If I can bring people enjoyment like Tiger, Federer, or Messi, I’m happy
Video credit: TNT Sports
Ronnie O'Sullivan admitted he is enjoying snooker again but insisted he cannot afford to "take this game for granted".
O'Sullivan's impressive form at the Xi'an Grand Prix continued with an emphatic 5-0 win over Stephen Maguire in the last 32 on Thursday.
And he acknowledged that he is feeling back to his best, despite the volatile nature of the sport.
"I feel like I played great the whole season - every match has been a good match," O'Sullivan said. "But like I always say, this game has a way of humbling you.
"So far, very, very happy with my game. You sit here and maybe talk to me in two, three weeks, two months, and I'll be [saying], 'the game's really hard, really difficult'.
"You just can't take this game for granted. You have to enjoy it while it's good, and when it's not so good you have to suck it up and try to get through those periods.
"But at the moment I'm enjoying the game, I'm enjoying playing, and long may that continue."
O'Sullivan played with a familiar swagger in his almost seamless defeat of Maguire.
The 49-year-old began the match with a superb break of 134, which set the tone as he compiled further runs of 70, 63 and 85. Maguire managed just 25 points in the match.
O'Sullivan has so far dropped just one frame at the Xi'an Grand Prix, in his 5-1 victory over Yao Pengcheng.
The seven-time world champion has been well-supported in China, and he reflected on his status in the sport after beating Yao.
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"Listen, I’ve been playing for 33 years now on the main tour. For any snooker fan around the world, I’m always going to have good support because of how I’ve played over the years," he said.
"And I’m really grateful for that. I feel like that’s probably been the best thing about my career. That I’ve had such good support from the fans.
"So it means I obviously play the game the way people like to watch it. You know, they want to be entertained.
"They want to go away watching something and kind of go, ‘oh, I feel like I’ve got something from that’.
"I don’t know what it is they get when they watch me play, but if it makes them feel good about themselves, then that means I feel good.
"Maybe it’s a bit like when Tiger Woods used to play golf, a bit like when [Roger] Federer played tennis, [Lionel] Messi plays football. People seem to get great enjoyment from it. So, I’m happy to be that guy."
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Video credit: TNT Sports
O'Sullivan will next play former World Championship finalist Jak Jones in the last 16 at the Xi'an Grand Prix on Friday - live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
The 'Rocket' is bidding for a record-extending 42nd ranking event title of his career, and a first since his triumph at the World Grand Prix in January 2024.
O'Sullivan is now the favourite in Xi'an, with world No. 1 Judd Trump and world champion Zhao Xintong among the players already eliminated.
Watch and stream top snooker action, including the Xi’an Grand Prix, live and on demand on TNT Sports and discovery+
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