Ronnie O’Sullivan’s actions trigger stir as he is caught on digital camera behind BBC host
Ronnie O’Sullivan was spotted practising late into the evening at the Crucible during BBC coverage of the World Snooker Championship, with presenter Seema Jaswal compelled to acknowledge The Rocket
Ronnie O’Sullivan practises during a BBC broadcast(Image: BBC)
Ronnie O’Sullivan showed his determination by training throughout the evening after his World Snooker Championship triumph over He Guoqiang.
The Rocket’s devotion was plainly evident in the backdrop of the BBC’s broadcast and presenter Seema Jaswal remarked upon it. The seven-time world champion proved he was clearly superior to China’s He, defeating him 10-2 on Wednesday to set up an exciting last-16 clash with fellow Class of ’92 member John Higgins.
Yet even after the triumph, the 50-year-old was causing a sensation, as he made his way to the practice tables at the Crucible directly within sight of the BBC cameras. O’Sullivan was conspicuously visible during the evening’s programming, with his match having finished earlier in the day. He spent hours training and presenter Jaswal felt obliged to mention the obvious figure behind her, reports the Mirror.
After a chat with 1991 world champion John Parrott, Jaswal discussed O’Sullivan’s upcoming match and noted: “It’s quite strange that we’re talking about him and he’s right there, but we have been talking to him about it.”
Supporters also spotted it, with a fan page posting on X: “Nearly 10:30pm and the Rocket still grinding away on the practice table.” A second remarked: “Means business.”
This demonstration of dedication is all the more remarkable given O’Sullivan’s admission that he doesn’t always relish practising. He revealed to TNT Sports this week: “I don’t play as much because I tend to get a little bit bored with just practising now.
“So I do it in stages, I put a little stint in and then I take some time out because I still want to enjoy the game rather than feel like I’m just doing it for the sake of doing it.
“It’s a different kind of preparation but I still hope to hit form at some point during the year and maybe have one or two good results, but I’m not as relentless as I used to be.”
Ahead of his clash with Higgins, O’Sullivan has seemingly tried to engage in some mind games, suggesting he is the underdog for the match. He told the BBC: “John loves playing me, he really enjoys it. I think he plays better against me than I do against him.
“I’ll probably be a bit of an underdog because I’ve hardly played for the last three years, compared to John. He’s at every tournament and beating a lot of good players.
“Rusty Ron comes here and rolls the dice and some of the time they’re sixes, but most of the time they’re ones, the last three years. Hopefully I can throw a couple of fives or sixes against John.
“He’s probably favourite but it’s a different type of pressure. The pressure is off me and probably more on John in this match. But it should be a good game, hopefully I can give him a decent game.”
