Ronnie O'Sullivan, described by major media as one of the globe's most maverick-like sports personalities, will face Thepchaiya Un-Nooh in Sunday's match. A victory would secure his 42nd ranking title, a new record. 73 million, leads a lavish lifestyle.
He tied the knot with former Footballers' Wives and EastEnders actress Laila Rouass in June 2025. Rouass played a crucial part in their recent relocation to Dubai, according to major media. O'Sullivan announced plans to move to the Middle East following his semi-final departure at the World Championships in Sheffield back in 2025.
So I had to do a lot of trips into London, an hour and twenty minutes each way - it was a headache. So a lot of the time I was having to go to Sheffield for, like, a week to get some proper practice done.
Their new home in Dubai offers him more convenient travel options for tournaments across China and the Middle East. O'Sullivan's agent mentioned that O'Sullivan was seeking a 'quieter life' abroad. The decision to move was influenced by a shortage of high-quality practice snooker tables near their Essex residence, which they have since sold.
O'Sullivan said, 'So I had to do a lot of trips into London, an hour and twenty minutes each way - it was a headache. ' He added, 'It's really good. I've got a great practice facility there, which was one of the main reasons for going.
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 to 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. 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 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 to 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. Really enjoying it out there.
Great gyms. I'm enjoying that side of it. ' O'Sullivan runs a snooker academy in Saudi Arabia.