Ronnie O’Sullivan Embraces His New Life in Dubai Following Wife Laila Rouass’s Ultimatum
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN expresses his enthusiasm for his new life in Dubai, especially cherishing his recent marriage.
The snooker icon has adopted two significant lifestyle changes this year, both enhancing his happiness in his personal life.
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This June, O’Sullivan wed his long-term partner, Laila Rouass, an actress and former contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, in a private ceremony in East London.
The wedding was kept under wraps until he joyfully announced it on Instagram, sharing a photo from the ceremony and stating: “We finally made it official!! Mr & Mrs O’Sullivan.”
Following the wedding, they moved to the UAE, which offers a more manageable commute for events in China and his snooker academy in Saudi Arabia.
Commenting on the advantages of relocating to sunnier locales, O’Sullivan, 49, told SunSport: “It’s fantastic. I have access to an excellent practice facility, which played a major role in our decision.
“Finding a place to play was a challenge; I could either take a train to Sheffield or think about moving there.
“However, my wife wasn’t keen on the idea of Sheffield. She suggested we consider Spain or Dubai.
“I thought Dubai was closer to China, being in the Middle East.
“All of my tournaments and commitments are there, so moving to Dubai made perfect sense.
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“I’m really enjoying life there. The gyms are amazing, and I appreciate that aspect of it.
“I already had some friends in Dubai who played snooker and helped me adapt to the lifestyle.
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“I’ve met some wonderful friends and have settled in nicely. So yes, it’s been great.
“I’m not one to sunbathe, but I prefer warmth to cold weather, if that makes sense. Spring and autumn are my favorite seasons.”
Like many newlyweds, getting used to saying ‘wife’ instead of girlfriend or fiancée has required some practice.
O’Sullivan, a father of three from previous relationships, noted: “Everyone understands their roles a bit better now.
“It probably feels a bit more mature, I’d say. It does take some time.
“Initially, I found it strange to say that word (wife), but now it feels completely normal. It’s nice. Everything is good, and everyone is happy, which is what matters most.”
Despite having withdrawn from three consecutive tournaments for health reasons, he is set to return to the baize at the Xi’an Grand Prix starting October 7.
Meanwhile, he is endorsing the launch of Pluto Snooker 900, the world’s first dedicated 24/7 snooker channel, streaming free content on demand through Pluto TV.
The Snooker 900 format includes 900 seconds (15 minutes) on the table, a 20-second shot clock, ball-in-hand for fouls, and a sudden-death blue-ball shootout for ties.
The channel will initially feature 18 hours of live snooker from Monday to Wednesday, kicking off with a Legends Week on October 6.
This special week will highlight iconic figures such as Jimmy White, Ken Doherty, John Parrott, Tony Drago, Joe Johnson, and Tony Knowles.
Over the next year, more than £600,000 in prize money is earmarked for amateur players.
Episodes of O’Sullivan’s celebrated coaching series, The Rocket Method, will also be included.
O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, reminisced: “I remember filming the masterclass, and after three days on my feet for 12-13 hours, I could barely walk.
“That was probably the toughest work we’ve ever done, as we had to wrap it all up in a short timeframe.
“You’ll find every kind of advice from beginner to advanced levels.
“I laid everything out there. It will be valuable for any snooker or pool player, or anyone in cue sports looking to enhance their game. I provided extensive detail.
“Hopefully, this new channel will inspire some snooker aspirations in young players. It will be a bit of talent spotting.
“The 900 format, which sharpens the mind, allows people to feel what it’s like to compete on TV—experiencing the pressure and nerves.”