When Ronnie O’Sullivan packed up his life in Essex and headed for Dubai earlier this year, he wasn’t just changing postcodes—he was stepping into a slower, simpler rhythm he says he’s needed for years.
The snooker legend, who hits the big 5-0 next month, felt the shift instantly after moving in June with his wife, actress Laila Rouass.
Choosing Sunshine Over Familiar Ground
O’Sullivan had toyed with the idea of Yorkshire. Spain even made the shortlist.
But in the end, the pull of warmth—and Rouass’ love for it—won out.
The pair decided the Middle East had the blend of calm, comfort, and climate that suited them both.
What mattered most, he says, wasn’t glamour but that easy, everyday simplicity.
A Relationship That Found Its Moment
The couple’s story has been anything but linear. Rouass, known from Footballers’ Wives and her strong run on Strictly Come Dancing in 2009, met O’Sullivan over a decade ago.
Engagement came in 2013, followed by years of on-and-off phases.
After publicly splitting late last year, they quietly surprised everyone by marrying in June—no buzz, no crowds, just a small ceremony at St George’s Town Hall with only her sisters as witnesses.
Disconnecting to Reconnect
Perhaps the biggest twist in O’Sullivan’s new chapter is his strict digital detox.
Not a temporary experiment—he’s gone all in. No social media. No messaging apps.
No news alerts. He’s even removed his web browser. Only a tiny circle of people can reach him directly.
He admits it’s been nothing short of bliss.
“I wish I’d done it earlier,” he reflected, explaining that he isn’t chasing networking or digital noise. Friends, real ones, are enough.
The phone, he says, wasn’t adding anything meaningful.
Enjoying the Quiet of Not Knowing
Another unexpected perk of Dubai life? The language barrier. O’Sullivan laughs about it but genuinely appreciates the built-in quiet it gives him.
No small talk pressure. No endless conversations. Just smiles, nods, and peace.
For someone with a job that demands intense focus, he says that kind of silence is welcome.
A New Academy and New Ambitions
But O’Sullivan isn’t just sunning himself. He’s launched a joint venture snooker academy with the Saudi government—right in the middle of Riyadh.
The slick five-table setup is part training centre, part talent incubator, drawing both ambitious youngsters and seasoned international pros.
He travels there often as a coach and mentor, and being based in Dubai has made the trips far less gruelling.
The jet lag, he admits, “was a struggle” before. Now it’s a much easier hop.
Back to the Table
After settling into his new home and resetting digitally, O’Sullivan isn’t stepping away from the game.
Far from it. He’s set to return to competition this week at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship—fittingly just a short flight from his new doorstep.
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