Ronnie turns 48 today … where have all those years gone??? I’m older than his mother, he’s not much older than my son … What happened there??? For once he will not be in York, bringing cakes to the media gang. Hopefully he has the best of celebrations with his loved ones. 🥂🎂🫖💝
RONNIE O’SULLIVAN RAISED THE BAR AND SHOWED HE IS ‘SNOOKER’S GREATEST ASSET’ WITH TRIUMPH AT UK CHAMPIONSHIP
BY DAVE HENDON
Eurosport’s Dave Hendon breaks down how Ronnie O’Sullivan showed the world that he is “snooker’s greatest asset”. The world No. 1 made history by becoming the youngest and oldest winner of the UK Championship after he clinched a record-extending eighth title on Sunday. O’Sullivan’s classy performance was too much for Ding Junhui and he lifted the title 30 years after he first won it aged 17.
How many more times can the bar be raised?
Even by Ronnie O’Sullivan’s extraordinary standards, his dash for the winning line to land a record-extending eighth UK Championship title last night was something special.
The crowd inside the Barbican Centre were in awe as O’Sullivan crunched in long pots, exercised perfect positional control and sank ball after ball to move from 7-7 with Ding Junhui to run out a 10-7 winner. The final three frames lasted 32 minutes.
In the blink of an eye, 30 years fell away. We were back at Preston Guild Hall watching the 17 year-old O’Sullivan announce his arrival on the big stage by stunning Stephen Hendry to become the youngest UK champion in 1993.
Now, on the eve of his 48th birthday, he is the oldest. When the audience in York rose to acclaim him, they did so recognising they had witnessed something close to magic, a mercurial burst of inspiration only possible from sport’s true greats.
It means a 40th ranking title, four more than Hendry in second place. O’Sullivan’s eighth UK Championship triumph is one of 22 ‘Triple Crown’ titles to his name. He extends his lead at the head of the rankings. In every possible measure, he is the greatest.
Standing next to him at the trophy celebration was Steve Dawson, the chairman of World Snooker Tour, whose organisation can take credit for an excellent event, well promoted, with record ticket sales and an enjoyable vibe throughout.
But Dawson must surely also realise that WST need to mend relations with O’Sullivan, who is the subject of disciplinary action pertaining to comments he made about exhibition engagements in China and player freedom.
Whoever is right or wrong in that debate, the facts are plain: O’Sullivan is snooker’s greatest asset. We need him playing as much as possible. Off table rows are distractions that we could all do without and it’s doubtful most ordinary fans care about those issues.
What they want is to watch Ronnie play snooker. WST should do everything to ensure he feels able to continue doing that in established tournaments which have meaning, rather than in exhibitions which have little.
O’Sullivan is hardly a blameless character but has more than earned the right to have his say about the sport, how it is run and what he wants to prioritise going forward.
He has become a huge draw in Asia, where promoters are willing to pay for his presence in exhibitions and tournaments. Anyone watching last night’s final will consider this money well spent.
If the weekly grind of tournament life is less to his liking these days, then this is hardly surprising, but it’s clear he still gets himself up for the big occasions. More importantly, he is still capable of thriving in such occasions.
As for O’Sullivan’s week in York, he was not at his brilliant best all through the event, but does not need to be when opponents freeze at the prospect of beating him.
Robert Milkins had three chances to do so in their decider. Zhou Yuelong had him on the ropes at 5-4 but made little impact on the last two frames. Hossein Vafaei had played the snooker of the week going into the semi-finals but wilted in the presence of The Rocket.
This is the aura of greatness which surrounds O’Sullivan. It gives him almost superhuman strength while sending the legs of rivals to jelly. Even when things are going badly wrong, the very fact of who he is, what he has done and what he is capable of makes the difference.
To Ding’s credit, he fought hard and put pressure on. At 7-7, the final was firmly in the balance. He did not do much – if anything – wrong in the closing three frames, which went by in a blur of brilliance.
Ding had to qualify for York but is now back where he belongs, as a member of the top 16 and qualified for the key events coming up in early 2024.
So what is next in the compelling drama that is Ronnie O’Sullivan’s career?
He hasn’t entered this week’s Shoot Out and will possibly skip the Scottish Open to recharge the batteries. He has been invited to a lucrative exhibition event in Macau over Christmas, then it’ll be back for the Masters in January he will face Ding in the first round.
Soon, the drumbeat towards the Crucible, where he will be attempting to win a record eighth world title, will begin.
His great friend and fellow Eurosport pundit, Jimmy White, believes he can get to 10 victories in each triple crown event. Such numbers seem fanciful on paper, but performances like those against Ding make you think again.
It seems every apparent last hurrah is succeeded by another. This remarkable, unique sporting figure just keeps amazing us.
How many more times can the bar be raised? Over to you, Ronnie.
As ever, David tries to express a balanced opinion and present both sides of the story in a fair way. Thank you Dave for that.
The real question for me is this one: why is WST so reliant on the “older” “big names”? Why is there such a culture of nostalgia in snooker? Why do most of their reports or announcements focus on the older players? Why do we still hear about the 85 final all the time? Or about Alex Higgins? Celebrating history is fine, good even, but promotion has to be about the present, the current players, and about the future, the up and coming ones. You will tell me that WST are about “recognisable” names when doing promotion. I get that but those “recognisable” figures will not be around forever and they were unknown rookies when they started. WST need to create “new” recognisable figures and that work has to start when those players are young and not well known yet.
You will tell me “right but how?”. Here are some ideas:
Scrap the qualifiers in flat draw events. Bring everyone at the venue, yes, even in China or Germany.
Have a stream of all tables. The cameras are already there.
Have more events with a tiered format and the type of coverage we get for the World and the UK. Not focusing on one table but hoovering through interesting phases on all tables.
Interview more players “live” and allow them to be themselves. Don’t pander the politically correct brigade. Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, Ronnie … they don’t fit in that mould and that’s why they are talked about and remembered. Times have changed? Maybe, but fundamentally human nature hasn’t.
Adopt a rating system instead of the stupid money list. It will bring a much needed flexibility. For instance, it would allow to organise a “rookies” cup at the start of each season – as Lewis suggested – without distorting the “rankings”. Do it with maximum exposure, in a nice venue, and free admission. Make it something festive and fun. Build the rookies profiles up. Yes. it would cost; it’s called investing in the future.
Ok guys… please come up with your “innovative proposals” … what would YOU want to see?
I’m not a fan of the Shoot-out being ranking in the current system, I wouldn’t object to it if we had a rating system though.It is what it is and I will try to enjoy it.
I’m wishing all of you, and those dear to you, the best for 2023. May this year bring you all happiness, peace of mind, success in your endeavours, and fulfilment.
Also “Happy birthday!” to Snooker Scene.
Clive Everton started it all on January 1, 1971. Last year we almost lost it… but thanks to Nick Metcalfe the magazine lives on and celebrates its 52d birthday today!
And, finally, my “wish list” for 2023 in snooker …
A prompt and fair resolution of the match fixing affairs that are currently tarnishing or sport. Culprits must be punished, but more importantly, stronger prevention measures should be put into place to avoid a repetition of this situation in the future. Maybe WPBSA could work more closely with the academies on this aspect? Maybe a specific “help group”, or “help line” involving Chinese and Thai speakers? Players need to feel safe to report any issue they become aware of.
More events played under a tiered system, provided that the qualifiers are played right before and at or close to the location of the main event.
For those events played under a “flat draw”, no qualifiers. Everyone at the main venue. Put enough tables in operation AND enough practice tables too.
Could WPBSA work with other bodies involved in snooker – yes, IBSF too – at all levels to consider the feasibility of a, potentially ELO based, rating system that would be inclusive to professionals and amateurs? Yes I know, I’m dreaming, but, as Lewis has explained on multiple occasions, that would allow to organise events for specific groups of players, without “distorting” the rating system. The current ranking system is too rigid by many aspects.
A World title number 8 for Ronnie at 47 … because … well he won’t be playing at 147, won’t he?
Today, 25th of December, most Christians celebrate Christmas, although part of the Orthodox community will celebrate it on the 6th of January. This year, the Jewish community also celebrates Hanukkah, from the 18th of December to the 26th of December. And, of course, many non-believers celebrate too because it’s an opportunity to meet family and friends, to share a meal, to have a drink or just to enjoy some good time with people we love.
I explained yesterday that I’m alone on my island at the moment and yesterday evening I decided to just have a walk around the village with my camera. There are very few people around this time of the year. Only one “taverna” was open, and the bakery. Although we have at least a dozen churches in the village, there was no midnight mass. I met countless cats but no human except at the bakery, where Koula, who runs it with Manolis, her husband, knowing that my family is away, invited me for lunch today. We have known Koula and Manolis for nearly 20 years. Their children, and mine, were kids at the time, today I shared the Christmas meal with the whole family, from “Thia Theoni”, Koulas’s mother and the “auntie” for everyone in the village, to her whole tribe of grand-children. I counted 10 of them. That’s how life is still lived here and long may it last. Eucharisto Koula 💖
Anyway… here are the pictures taken yesterday night, No flash, no tripod. Just what caught my eye on the moment and a rare “selfie”
Happy celebrations everyone, enjoy and cherish those moments !
Queen Elisabeth II died peacefully in her Balmoral residence yesterday afternoon. She was 96 tears old. She was a queen before I was born … and I’m a grand mother. Immediately, all over the Internet, respects were paid, tributes were written, and pictures were shared. Most of those images showed her, smiling, wearing her crown with pride… the only one that was in my mind, was of her, petite, frail, all dressed in black, wearing a mask, alone, mourning her husband, the man she had loved since she was 13. Alone, following the rules while those who set those rules were partying in Downing street. Those were the same people who were now flooding social media with tributes. It angered me beyond words. It saddened me beyond words.
Of course, there were also many thousand of sincere tributes, notably from snooker players, including Ronnie.
Tributes and token of respect came from all over the world. The flags were taken at half mast in front of the European Commission building in Brussels. European countries expressed their solidarity with the UK people and shared their sorrow.
Rest in peace Elisabeth Windsor, Queen, mother, grand-mother, grand-grand-mother … a formidable woman in a male dominated world, a unifying force in a profoundly divided country, a beacon of dignity in the face of a deeply corrupted political class. I hope you are now reunited with your love.
The title of this post is telling enough: this is what I’m wishing to every person on this Earth during this year, 2022, and beyond: happiness, good health and freedom.
I wanted some good snooker related news to “support” that mood and here it is:
Seven-time World Women’s Snooker champion Allison Fisher is to become an MBE for her services to sport, as announced in the New Years Honours List published by the UK government on Friday evening.
One of the undisputed all-time greats of our sport, Fisher enjoyed a hugely successful career on the women’s circuit from 1982-1995, claiming an estimated 68* tournament victories – a record that still stands today – including those seven world crowns.
She is one of just 11 players to have held the number one ranking since the introduction of the WWS ranking system in 1983 and was the first player to compile a century break in the World Women’s Championship following her run of 103 on her way to the 1991 title.
During that same year, she also became the first woman to win a professional match when she defeated Sukhbir Grewal at the Dubai Duty Free Classic.
Since leaving the WWS Tour, Fisher has continued to excel at every opportunity during her distinguished cue sports career and World Women’s Snooker has been proud to support this application and see her achievements recognised formally.
Mandy Fisher, WWS President said: “I am thrilled by today’s announcement that is richly deserved following a 40-year career throughout which Allison has continued to be a trailblazer for women in cuesports.
“From her very first tournament back in 1982 her potential was clear for all to see and I have been extremely proud to see her go on to enjoy the success that she has. Allison is a true icon of our sport and I am sure that she will continue to compete at the highest level for many years to come.”
*based on our available records
You will find more about Allison’s career on wikipedia.
Amongst other things there are old snooker footages dating back from the 90th, notably her first televised century, and snippets from exhibition matches against Dennis Taylor and Jimmy White.
Peter Devlin hasn’t really enjoyed much glory on the main tour so far, but was given a great opportunity to show … his showman side whilst helping WST to promote the coming English Open
Had a brilliant day as the guest at Milton Keynes Dons Stadium MK
Did a few interviews, and performed a rap live in front of just under 10,000 football fans. Standard 😂😂
Massive thanks to World Snooker Tour for giving me this opportunity to help promote the upcoming English Open, and the Snooker Tour in general 😁
Also met John Motson, and was a bit starstruck hearing his standout commentary voice in real life!
Asked by a friend if he enjoyed it, he replied:
(It) was awesome mate! I wish I could have that kind of confidence at snooker! Literally no nerves whatsoever doing that in front of thousands. But put a cue in my hand and different story
An award-winning artist is selling his work for charity after being diagnosed with brain cancer and given only months to live.
Antonio Russo from Bovingdon, AKA Stony, who went from being a street graffiti artist to winning global art prizes, is raising money for The Brain Tumour Charity.
The father-of-two, who was diagnosed in 2019, has been producing work with inspirational messages throughout his career and they have been bringing hope to people with cancer.
Snooker star and art lover Ronnie O’Sullivan has become a close friend after buying one of his canvasses.
Ronnie O’Sullivan and Antonio Russo
Mr O’Sullivan said: “He is a great friend to me. When I met him I thought ‘I really like this guy’ – he has a lovely way about him.
“We stayed in, starting talking, eating and watching Formula 1.
“Now I know his family – his daughter and son. We also come from neighbouring villages in Italy so we share that culture, so there was an Italian connection too.
“I love his art. Antonio has his own unique way as an artist and I think it is fantastic.”
Ronnie O’Sullivan with Stony’s canvass
Mr Russo, 56, said: “I’ve been involved in art and music all my life and have been fortunate to travel the world and work with some amazing people.
“I stay positive despite my diagnosis and it is fantastic that my work inspires people and helps them through tough times.”
“In January he was given six to nine months to live but has been on a clinical trial drug which he says he draws great strength from.”
“My cancer is terminal but I’m the biggest survivor in the world,” he added.
Artist Antonio Russo
Mr Russo continued: “Ronnie is a fantastic guy and a good buddy, and he’s also really knowledgeable about art.
“I’ve got work in big galleries and have lots of high-profile clients but the most important thing for me is that my work touches people and helps them.”
Mr Russo was born in Luton but moved to Sicily as a baby before returning with his family to the UK when he was 12.
He had been drawing and painting since he was three years old and was drawn to street art as a teenager.
Artwork by Stony
He added: “Graffiti was a way of expressing myself and I joined a community of street artists who were just dedicated to their art.
“They were artists, not taggers who just went around painting their names or one design – I was always creative and colourful and it was about expressing myself through art.”
Mr O’Sullivan said: “The illness is so bloody sad but he is so positive – he has a great spirit about him.
“He never gives in – he always believes there is something better around the corner.”
Last week-end Ronnie went to support the Venturi at the races in London.
He, and Nicolas Hamilton, were there as a ROKIT embassadors. Ronnie even had the honor/pleasure to take Toto Wolf’s seat in the safety car for the hot lap.
By all accounts, he totally enjoyed the experience.
He shared some images on his social media
And a short video of the hot lap
During the same week-end Mark Williams reacted to WST announcement that Ronnie has withdrawn from the 2021 British Open with this:
It says it all about how the top players who started in the 90th, and are still at the top, feel about the current trends in snooker. It’s increasingly about shortening formats and being lucky. Making the sport more random will suit the bookies and excite the gamblers but not the true snooker fans. It will not help the sport in the long term, quite the opposite.
This is only a very short excerpt with Peter’s quotes relevant to the above:
“I’ve seen the rankings and learned a lot about how it works this year in the rankings – consistency is not rewarded,” says the world number 114.
“The only reward is for deep runs in tournaments, and not all tournaments that you have deep runs in give you any reward. My goal is just to be lucky.”
“I know I’m good enough to have deep runs, but it just has to be the right tournament. Stuart Carrington got to the semi-final of Gibraltar, beating five top players on the way, and he won £6,000 for that.
“Then another player drew Anthony Hamilton in the UK Championship – Anthony had COVID – so the other guy got a walkover and got £6,500. What does that say?
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Ronnie O'Sullivan 