Ronnie interview with the Metro

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN admits he is not really relishing the world championship, and firmly believes the tournament is such a marathon it does not always identify the best player.

O’Sullivan is chasing his sixth world title, and his first Crucible crown since 2013, with the famous 17-day event beginning in Sheffield on Saturday.

But the 42-year-old, who has won five ranking events in a wonderful season, insists he is not the biggest fan of snooker’s showpiece.

‘I just think it goes on a long time,’ O’Sullivan told Metro. ‘Three weeks is a long time to finish one tournament. Some matches you play over two or three days — that’s a long time to be playing the same guy.

‘I’ve never thought it’s necessarily the best player that wins it. You’ve had [Graeme] Dott win it, you’ve had Peter Ebdon win it, you’ve had a few guys win it that you wouldn’t think would win it. A lot can go on in 17 days.

‘It’s normally the guy that’s playing the most consistent and who can hold it together the longest. I’ve won the world championship just because you’ve held it together well and you’ve not had many dips in form. It’s not necessarily that I’ve been in top form.

‘Every time I’ve won the world championship I get to the end of it, and think, it’s a relief that it’s over.

‘I like the tournaments where it’s best of nine, best of 11, you’re playing a different opponent every day.

‘The Masters for me is a great tournament — the 16 best players in the world, every match feels like a final.You need to get out of the blocks early and impose yourself on the game. You normally have to play your best snooker to win those tournaments.’

O’Sullivan, with five world titles, trails Steve Davis and Ray Reardon with their six and Stephen Hendry with his record seven. O’Sullivan insists Hendry’s mark is almost certainly beyond him but clearly believes there is one more triumph in him.

‘I don’t think of getting to seven, it’s probably something that’s not really achievable. It could be done but it’s highly unlikely,’ O’Sullivan said.

‘I could probably, possibly, win another one, if I was being realistic. I’d rather concentrate on the stuff that’s achievable. To overtake him (Hendry) in majors, maybe to overtake him in ranking events — I could see myself winning another four ranking events before my career is over. A thousand centuries would be nice.

‘But I don’t see seven world titles as a realistic thing. It’s possible but it’s not on my list of things I want to do.’

Ronnie on…

World no.1 Mark Selby
‘You have to say he’s a great. I think he’ll maybe get to six world titles.’

Fellow star Judd Trump
‘When I’ve finished, I’d love him to take over and try to dominate snooker.’

Calling lower-ranked players ‘numpties’
‘I mean it. They’ve not even played amateur. They’re so bad they wouldn’t get in the local league team.’

https://www.metro.news/ronnie-osullivan ... t/1020834/

Andre147 wrote:That's my main worry....

that he won't be up for a 17 day marathon at the Cucible... he wins every other tournament, but maybe The Crucible is a bit too much for him these days, even though he's already won it 5 times.

Hope not, as I think he'll win it again this year.

Yeah, because Ronnie said it. So it's gospel.

vodkadiet wrote:Dott and Ebdon are 2 players who have prevented him winning as many World titles as Hendry. He has animosity towards them no doubt.

Selby beat Ronnie in a Crucible final, but Ronnie has praised him many times on analysis.

Badsnookerplayer wrote:On the table, a very good player.
In interview, he makes the Saviour seem like a master of the written word.
(No offence intended Saviour)

The Savior IS a master of the written word.

SnookerFan wrote:

vodkadiet wrote:Dott and Ebdon are 2 players who have prevented him winning as many World titles as Hendry. He has animosity towards them no doubt.

Selby beat Ronnie in a Crucible final, but Ronnie has praised him many times on analysis.

Ronnie has praised Ebdon as well. He even asked him to practice with him in 2013 I think it was. They get along.

The 2002 was the tournament I first followed properly. (Previously I just dipped in and out.)

In a way Peter Ebdon got me into snooker. Bit embarrassing.

I wouldn't classify Ebdon a one-hit wonder.

He was UK Champion, twice a China Open and three times a Crucible finalist.

Dott does pretty well at The Crucible, as well.