Jimmy White believes Ronnie O'Sullivan is not telling the full truth when he suggests that winning an eighth Masters and World Championship title would put the cherry on top of his illustrious career.
O'Sullivan won his 22nd Triple Crown title last month when he captured the UK Championship for the first time in five years.
Prior to that, O'Sullivan had seven titles in each of the Triple Crown events with the UK Championship now his most successful major.
Speaking ahead of the Masters, O'Sullivan admitted that he would like to get each tournament up to an even eight titles.
Ronnie O'Sullivan says he wants to win eight of each Triple Crowns
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The snooker icon has already admitted in the past that he only has a few years left before he plans to retire from the sport.
O'Sullivan's comments on wanting to win eight titles each in the Triple Crown tournaments has led to some questioning whether he will retire once he achieves what he says he wants.
But White believes O'Sullivan is secretly aiming to take his Triple Crown title tally up to 30 by the time he eventually packs his cue away once and for all.
"He sort of plays it down a bit because he has all the records but he'd love to win 10 of each Triple Crowns and then I think you might see that he might think no one can beat that," White said.
“Listen, he’s going for 10 of each of the Triple Crowns, he’s just not declaring it."
O'Sullivan raised some eyebrows on the eve of the Masters when he moaned about the "rowdy" atmosphere at the Alexandra Palace event.
But White feels his close friend will be able to block out the noise once he gets out onto the table and will fancy his chances of winning another major event.
"He won his eighth UK Championship, for me, playing 70-80 per cent of his game," he added.
"He's been practicing all over Christmas and been in China for tournaments. He'll be sharp.
Jimmy White feels Ronnie O'Sullivan would like to finish on 30 Triple Crowns
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"I think with O'Sullivan, when he talks about the crowd, when I was playing at the Conference Centre I had the crowd on my side and Stephen Hendry, he got into his own bubble.
"With O'Sullivan, the crowd go on the ride with him the way he plays and he entertains.
"I think once he gets out there he'll be fine.
"For me, with O'Sullivan now it's all about him performing well and we know if he performs well he wins.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan won his eighth UK Championship last month
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"A confident O'Sullivan and an O'Sullivan that has been practicing is near enough unbeatable.
"He's in this local tournament where he can go back to his own house every night.
"He's got his own facility. He's always going to be the man to beat at the Masters.
"But obviously you've got Judd Trump and Mark Selby, who are in good form as well."
