Ronnie O’Sullivan says China in pole position to ‘monopolise’ snooker, as he unveils new academy in Singapore
- Chinese players could dominate snooker in future, the seven-time world champion said, ‘China seems to be better placed to monopolise the game’
- O’Sullivan, in Singapore for the launch of his new academy, said Ding Junhui was a trailblazer for snooker in China and had inspired many to take up the sport
Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan said Monday that China is primed to “monopolise” the sport and boasts three or four players who have recently emerged as potential world champions.
Speaking during a trip to Singapore to mark the launch of his new snooker academy, the reigning seven-time world champion also predicted the game was set to grow rapidly in Asia.
“China have done a really good job of, over the last 20 years, bringing a lot of young talent into the game,” said the 46-year-old Englishman nicknamed “The Rocket”.
O’Sullivan said Ding Junhui, a trailblazer for snooker in China, was “fantastic” and had inspired many others.
“Just recently there’s been three or four very, very good Chinese players that have come through that are possibly potential world champions.”
Chinese players could “possibly” dominate snooker in future, he said, adding: “China seems to be better placed to monopolise the game.”
Other Chinese stars to have emerged in recent years include the 22-year-old Yan Bingtao, who won the Masters last year, and Zhao Xintong, 25.
While the world rankings are still dominated by Britons – with O’Sullivan top of the pile – Zhao has risen to sixth and Yan is 15th.