The Rocket heads to the Crucible this year as the defending champion and world number one so does not appear to be slowing down just yet.
The 47-year-old has not had much to shout about this season in terms of ranking events, but has won the Champion of Champions and Hong Kong Masters, so has not lost the winning feeling entirely.
O’Sullivan has often played down how much records, and even the sport as a whole, means to him, but admits that this is something of a front to take the pressure off his shoulders.
He goes to Sheffield this week ready to put all his effort into winning another world title and become the first player to win eight, setting him apart from Stephen Hendry who he is currently tied with on seven.
‘I probably play it down. I will be trying my hardest this year, obviously. And I think I have another four good genuine attempts at it,’ O’Sullivan told The Mirror.
‘I do care, of course, I care. I just try to have a better perspective on it. It is a big part of my life, but not all of my life. I am not going to invest everything into it.
‘But obviously you get excited at this time of year, it’s a big tournament. You want to get your game right, you want to be feeling going into the Crucible that you have a chance to have a go.
‘I am definitely getting excited. Listen, I haven’t done much in the ranking tournaments either this year, so it would be nice to have a good run. You want to be in this one as long as you can.’
O’Sullivan will play in the opening session of the 2023 World Championship on Saturday, with the match coming to a conclusion on the same evening.
He will discover his opponent on Thursday when the draw is made following qualification coming to an end on Wednesday.
MORE : Anthony Hamilton on snooker dark arts, avoiding bulls**t and a dangerous tuna sandwich
MORE : Ronnie O’Sullivan: Stephen Hendry ‘can come in here and play in his underpants if he likes’
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