Ronnie O'Sullivan's wife Laila Rouass issued ultimatum that made him quit the UK

Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed that his wife Laila Rouass issued him an ultimatum that led him to leave the UK to start a new life in Dubai earlier this year. The seven-time snooker world champion got married to Rouass, his long-time partner, in June and then moved out to live in the Middle East.

And the 49-year-old veteran's change of countries means it takes less time to commute to his events in China, which he said he prefers playing to the tournaments in his home country, and to his snooker academy in Saudi Arabia. But it was Rouass, not O'Sullivan himself, who was the mastermind behind the move - because she didn't want to live in Sheffield.

O'Sullivan told The Sun: "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 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've met some really nice friends and fitted in really well. So yeah, it's great.

"I'm not a sunbather, but I'd much rather the heat than cold, if that makes sense. Spring and autumn are my favourite times."

There are question marks about how much longer O'Sullivan has got in snooker. He turns 50 in December and earlier this year took a three-month hiatus from the table while pulling out of multiple tournaments on medical grounds.

Speaking back in May, O'Sullivan - who previously lived in Essex - admitted he wasn't sure how the move would go but insisted he will continue playing snooker. He explained: "I'll be moving away to the Middle East. We'll see how it goes - I might be back in six months.

"A new life somewhere else. I don't know how that is going to pan out. I will still try to play snooker but I don't know what the future looks like for me really.

"It is a big part of my life but I have to try and figure out what my future looks like, whether it's playing or not."