To the millions who’ve watched him defy pressure under the most blinding lights, to those who have followed his mercurial genius on the baize for decades—today brings news that hits well beyond the snooker table.
In a move that has sent shockwaves through both the sporting world and his devoted fanbase, snooker legend **Ronnie O’Sullivan** has announced his **sudden divorce** from wife **Laila Rouass**. The announcement, made earlier today through a brief and emotionally subdued statement, ends a relationship that spanned over a decade, and a marriage that fans had long viewed as a source of grounding for the sport’s most complex icon.
*”After much reflection and with mutual respect, Laila and I have decided to part ways,”* O’Sullivan’s statement read. *”It’s a deeply personal matter, and I ask for privacy as we both move forward separately.”*
While the official language strikes a tone of respect and discretion, **sources close to the couple** suggest the split has been anything but smooth. According to individuals familiar with the relationship, the two had been grappling with “long-standing trust issues, intense personal pressures, and lifestyle differences that gradually took their toll.”
One insider confided, *“They loved each other, no question. But Ronnie’s inner world can be chaotic. His focus, his solitude, the hours he spends locked away from everyone—even Laila—it created real distance.”*
Known as much for his psychological complexity as for his record-breaking titles, O’Sullivan has publicly discussed his battles with depression, addiction, and the intense emotional strain that comes with being the sport’s most gifted—and scrutinized—player. Those familiar with his life away from the table say these internal battles did not remain confined to the game.
“Being close to Ronnie isn’t easy,” another source added. “He can be warm and open one day, then distant and unreachable the next. Laila was incredibly supportive, but it wore her down.”
The couple had previously **called off their engagement** in 2022 only to reunite months later. At the time, fans rejoiced at what appeared to be a rekindling of a deeply personal bond. But according to reports, cracks continued to deepen behind closed doors, made worse by O’Sullivan’s demanding tour schedule and the isolating lifestyle that comes with elite competition.
For fans, the news has come as a gut-punch. On social media, supporters have shared an outpouring of shock, sadness, and support for both individuals. Many expressed hope that O’Sullivan—already one of the most mentally fragile yet fascinating figures in sport—won’t spiral as a result of the split.
“Ronnie’s strength is also his fragility,” one fan wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “He channels his inner demons into brilliance. But this could rattle him.”
Rouass, an actress best known for her roles in *Holby City* and *Footballers’ Wives*, has not yet issued a public statement, though those close to her say she’s “focused on healing” and “relieved to be stepping out of a relationship that had quietly turned turbulent.”
For now, O’Sullivan is expected to take some time away from the media glare, though he remains scheduled to appear in upcoming ranking tournaments. Whether this personal upheaval fuels a resurgence in his play—as it so often has in the past—or takes a toll on his form remains to be seen.
Whatever the future holds, one thing is clear: this isn’t just a story about a marriage ending. It’s another chapter in the extraordinary, unpredictable life of Ronnie O’Sullivan—arguably the greatest, and certainly the most human, snooker player of all time.