Cue Ronnie: the wit and wisdom of world champion ‘Rocket’ O’Sullivan
- After claiming a sixth world title in Sheffield on Sunday, we pick out a selection of nuggets of wisdom from the world’s best at this year’s event
“Rocket” Ronnie O’Sullivan is as quick with his quips as he is when potting balls on the snooker table.
Laboratory
“They’re treating this snooker event like lab rats really, so what can you do? You’ve got to start (bringing fans back) somewhere, (so why not) start with snooker players – less insurance to pay out for Anthony Hamilton than there is for Lewis Hamilton.”
O’Sullivan supports chronic asthmatic Anthony “Sheriff of Pottingham” Hamilton’s concerns about permitting spectators into the auditorium. Hamilton subsequently withdrew allowing Kyren Wilson a first-round bye before he went on to lose to O’Sullivan in the final. O’Sullivan stood his ground. Ironically spectators were barred after the first day when the British Government halted their pilot scheme to allow selected sporting events to have a limited number of attendees.
Mortuary
“It’s better with the fans, of course it is, it’s like playing in a morgue out there ... It puts you off coming to this tournament, I’d rather go and play in Crawley.”