Snooker legend Jimmy White has told his peers to stay grounded amidst speculation about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s performance at this year’s Crucible.
The latter, who has seven World Snooker Championship titles to his name, had fans worried after vanishing ever since an irate episode in January at the Championship League. O’Sullivan has not been seen on TV since – pulling out a slurry of tournaments, namely the Masters, on rather short notice.
As whispers about O’Sullivan eyeing an eighth crown circulate, White, a long-time colleague, insists everyone should respect the talent of someone he hails as the sport’s finest ever cueist and keep their guard up should he decide to once again grace the Crucible with his presence.
Discussing whether O’Sullivan is the best snooker player of all time, White was unequivocal, as the 62-year-old veteran of the baize stated: “Absolutely. What Ronnie O’Sullivan has – he has my flair. He has Steve Davis’ safety game through Ray Reardon. He has Stephen Hendry’s killer instinct.
“What Ronnie O’Sullivan does that no one else does, is he plays a top-class match snooker as though he’s practising. He completely just enjoys playing.”
The Whirlwind did take note of O’Sullivan’s sparse competitive appearances but reminded everyone that O’Sullivan’s knack for winning isn’t easily quelled by mere lack of match practice.
“Now, the problem I’ve got with O’Sullivan this year is that he’s not had a lot of match practice,” six-time world finalist White continued, via the Express.
“I remember when O’Sullivan didn’t play for one year, and he came back and he won the World Championship. He beat Marcus Campbell in the first round.
“The first three or four frames, he should have lost them all, but Marcus Campbell didn’t capitalise on it, and O’Sullivan managed to beat him and went on to win the World Championship.
“He is the best player that’s ever played our game. He’s like a winning machine. He’s entered the World Championship. I heard through the grapevine that he’s been practising, so you can just never write Ronnie O’Sullivan off.”
While O’Sullivan’s place at the Crucible is guaranteed – should he wish to take it up – The Whirlwind’s is not as he embarks on an unlikely by awe-inspiring run through qualifying aged 62.
Veteran White’s opening-round fixture seemed to be all over when trailing by a whopping 3-7, but he reversed his fortunes in stunning fashion.
The clash was brought to a nail-biting deciding frame, and though it ended at 1:20am, White prevailed against Anton Kazakov to set up a second-round affair against 29-year-old Ashley Carty on Friday.
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