LONDON: Seven-time world snooker champion Ronnie O鈥橲ullivan has revealed plans to leave the UK and start a new chapter of his life in the Middle East, .

The 49-year-old, widely regarded as the greatest snooker player in history, made the announcement after a heavy 17鈥�7 defeat to Zhao Xintong in the semifinals of the World Championship in Sheffield on Friday.

The loss marked the end of his first tournament appearance since snapping his cue in frustration at the Championship League in January.

鈥淚 think I am going to be moving out of the UK this year,鈥� said O鈥橲ullivan, who is based in Essex and also runs a snooker academy in 萝莉视频.

鈥淚鈥檒l be moving away to the Middle East. We鈥檒l see how it goes, I might be back in six months. A new life somewhere else. I don鈥檛 know how that is going to pan out,鈥� he added.

鈥淭he Rocket,鈥� as he is known, had raised hopes of an eighth Crucible crown, which would stand alone as a modern-era record, with earlier victories over Ali Carter, Pang Junxu and Si Jiahui. But he was comfortably outplayed by former UK champion Zhao, who sealed victory with a session to spare.

Despite his long list of achievements 鈥� including a record 41 ranking titles, five more than Stephen Hendry 鈥� O鈥橲ullivan admitted he is struggling to visualize what lies ahead.

鈥淚 will still try to play snooker, but I don鈥檛 know what the future looks like for me, really,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t is a big part of my life, but I have to try and figure out what my future looks like, whether it鈥檚 playing or not.鈥�

O鈥橲ullivan has spoken openly in recent years about his struggles with motivation and mental health, and previously revealed he had taken medication to deal with anxiety.

His absence from the sport for several months earlier this season prompted speculation about whether he might be winding down his career ahead of his 50th birthday in December.

At this year鈥檚 tournament, he has also faced a battle with his equipment after breaking his trusted cue 鈥� a problem he said was still unresolved.

鈥淚 don鈥檛 even know if it was the cue, the ferrule or me. There were three things,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know where the white ball was going. I was at a loss. I won鈥檛 throw the cue. The merchandise people want it, so it will be up for sale.

鈥淚鈥檝e been playing like that quite a lot in practice and it鈥檚 just hard to get my head around. I can鈥檛 even fix it, that鈥檚 the problem. I know I said I鈥檇 like to try and give it two years, but if you鈥檙e going to play like that it鈥檚 pretty pointless. It鈥檚 not good.鈥�

O鈥橲ullivan was full of praise for his young Chinese opponent following the crushing defeat.

鈥淲e鈥檝e got a really nice relationship, I鈥檓 always trying to help him if I can. He wanted the crowd to give me clap, but it鈥檚 his moment. I tried to get off as quick as I could because it鈥檚 his moment,鈥� he told

鈥淚t鈥檇 be amazing if he did it. He鈥檇 be a mega star, he鈥檚 still very big in China as it is. But if he becomes world champion, he鈥檒l be unbelievable. It will just be amazing for snooker, and his life as well.

鈥淗e can definitely get over the line. But he鈥檒l have more of a test against the other two guys in the semis. I think that鈥檒l be a proper test for him.鈥�