Ronnie O’Sullivan explains quitting UK as snooker star unfazed by Dubai trouble | Other | Sport

Ronnie O’Sullivan is relishing his life split between Dubai and Ireland, with the snooker legend insisting that the recent unrest in the Middle East is having absolutely no bearing on his lifestyle choices.

O’Sullivan made the move to the UAE last year, with the location also making travel to tournaments and commitments across Asia considerably more convenient.

He said: “I live in Dubai and I live in Ireland. They’re my homes now so I just commute between them and obviously in China, Hong Kong.

“They are the places I spend all my time, really. I’m happy where I’m living. I love being in Dubai and I love being in Ireland.

“I’ve not moved away for any reason. I just choose to come when I want to come.”

Snooker rival Judd Trump chose to depart Dubai in favour of Thailand to practise earlier this year following the outbreak of hostilities.

However, the World No.1 confirmed earlier this week that Dubai remains his base.

O’Sullivan added: “The UAE government have done an amazing job out there and everybody feels safe and great.

“Obviously, I had family and friends over there and I was like: ‘Are you okay?’. And they’re like, it’s great out here. You wouldn’t even know something was going on.

“I know for holidaymakers it was a bit hard because they had to go into basements of hotels and whatever, so that’s not nice.

“But if you’re living there, feet up watching a bit of Netflix, everyone that was living there was really well looked after. People are all staying there.

“Some of my friends could have got out, but they didn’t want to get out. A lot of holidaymakers and stuff like that, I get it, but everyone I know is loving the life.”