Rocket backs Crucible to retain sport’s crown jewel
There are fears that the days of the tournament being staged in Sheffield could be numbered after more than a quarter of a century.
Former World Snooker board member Jim Chambers revealed earlier in the week that discussions have taken place at board level regarding the possibility of eventually moving the tournament overseas.
Sheffield has been the home for world snooker's number one event since 1977 when Embassy (Imperial Tobacco) began their lengthy sponsorship deal.
The contract to hold the tournament at the sport's most famous venue runs out next year at the same time as the Embassy deal has to be terminated because of British government legislation regarding tobacco advertising.
If the sport is to attract a new household name then a worldwide brand may demand worldwide exposure. But O'Sullivan, who clinched his second world title in Sheffield on Monday, said: "It is very important the World Championships stay here.
"The Crucible Theatre is an amazing arena to play in and I think the championships will stay in Sheffield. Hopefully we will have some more world venues like The Crucible for other tournaments. Golf has got Augusta for the Masters but also has other equally good venues.
"Maybe we can start playing in some real classy venues and then you'll see the better snooker. But it is for the business people to sort out."
O'Sullivan insisted that he will strive to raise his level of performance despite his stunning displays over the last fortnight and to improve playing the game left-handed.
He said: "I believe you can just keep getting better and better and if I didn't think I could improve, then what's the point?
"I believe I can keep improving in every aspect of my life not just on the snooker table. It's the whole product.
"My consistency has come from getting a better technique and I have slowed my game down a little bit.
"I made a 147 in the world championships in just five minutes 20 seconds a few years back and Steve Davis said the other day I couldn't do that now because I have slowed my cue action down and he's right."
O'Sullivan insisted that he was convinced he would be world champion in 2004 even after losing the first five frames of the final to Graeme Dott.
He said: "I never ever thought that I wasn't going to win because I had already won the title in my mind before I came to Sheffield.
"I had rehearsed it that many times and I didn't ever believe that I was going to get beaten. I had prepared for good and bad things to happen and to be able to deal with things."
O'Sullivan added: "I am going to take some time off but then I am going to groove that left hand because I really do enjoy playing left-handed.
"I've won a semi-final and a final playing mainly left-handed in the Matchroom League and I'll give it a whole season of practising with my left hand. But I'm the best judge of whether to use it in tournaments."
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