Jason Ferguson was Stephen Hendry’s guest on the latter YouTube Channel. Amongst other things, he shared his views on Ronnie’s snooker “legacy”. Here is what he had to say, as reported by Desmond Kane.

Ronnie O’Sullivan legacy hailed by World Snooker chief Jason Ferguson – ‘One of the greatest sportsmen of all time’

By Desmond Kane

Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, has paid a glowing tribute to Ronnie O’Sullivan for his role in boosting the profile and growth of the sport since he turned professional in 1992. The seven-time world champion turns 50 in December, but Ferguson feels his reputation transcends the game. “He’s a sporting superstar without a doubt,” said Ferguson.

Ronnie O’Sullivan will be celebrated as one of the greatest sportsmen of all time with his legacy in snooker already secured, according to Jason Ferguson, chairman of the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association.

O’Sullivan turned professional in 1992, claiming seven world titles, eight Masters and four Champion of Champions amid a record ranking event haul of 41 victories, 15 maximum breaks and 1289 centuries.

He also remains the youngest winner of a ranking event with his 10-6 victory over Stephen Hendry in the final of the 1993 UK Championship achieved at the age of 17.

Former professional Ferguson suggests the snooker GOAT’s success, speed and style of his play transcends the sport.

“The man is a genius,” said the WPBSA chief on O’Sullivan’s fellow seven-time world champion Stephen’s Hendry’s YouTube channel.

“I mean, the way he plays, the shots he plays, the style he plays. It’s just so attractive, isn’t it? He’s a superstar. He’s a sporting superstar without question in any sport.

“You hear it from many people from other sports. They all say it’s one of the hardest sports in the world. The game is just so difficult.

“Ronnie Sullivan has to be one of the greatest sportsman of all time. That is without a doubt.“

O’Sullivan was invited to Wimbledon last year by 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.

“I’m his fan,” said Djokovic about O’Sullivan. “I watch snooker just because of him. I watched when I was a kid. Honestly, I watched him play many years ago.

“My father loved watching snooker. I only watched Ronnie. Whenever he would not play, I would not watch.

“We just had a meet-up, an interaction for the first time. It was great. He was one of the sport greats I used to watch when I was a kid. It was really nice to have him around.”

Despite struggling with confidence and cue problems, O’Sullivan ended a four-month absence by managing to reach the semi-finals of the World Championship in May before losing 17-7 to eventual winner Zhao Xintong in the semi-finals.

Hendry feels Zhao was the first player since O’Sullivan to make the game look “ridiculously easy” in his run to becoming China’s historic first world champion with an 18-12 final win over Mark Williams.

“This boy can take us to another level as a sport,” commented Ferguson. “He’s young, he’s cool, he’s popular.“

O’Sullivan could face Zhao at the Shanghai Masters later this month, when he is expected to make his competitive return to the game.

The coveted invitational competition, staged from July 28-August 3, involves the top 16 in the world rankings, with the four highest-ranked Chinese players and four amateur wild cards making up the 24-player field.

O’Sullivan is seeded through to the round of 16 and will begin his quest for a sixth victory at the event on July 30 against Barry Hawkins or Wu Yize.

Zhao is set to end his suspension from competitive play in China on July 1, following his involvement in a match-fixing probe, and will face Chris Wakelin or a wild card in the last 16.

I really like Zhao. I like his game and every time I watched him play or listened to an interview he gave, he came across as a positive, down-to-earth and loveable personality. He smiles a lot. He plays a positive, dynamic and clever brand of snooker. I care very little about nationalities in sports. For all I care a sportsperson could be from Mars, if I like their style and admire their skills, I will support them.