Ronnie O’Sullivan was dumped out of the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship in his opening match, after making an emotional confession about his estranged daughter
Ronnie O’Sullivan suffered a humiliating defeat at the Riyadh Season Snooker Championship days after he made an emotional confession about his estranged daughter.
The seven-time world champion, who was among the favourites to win the tournament and bag the £250,000 prize, made a shocking exit in his first match against Shaun Murphy – after he admitted he’s “not bothered” by winning a record-breaking eighth world title.
O’Sullivan didn’t manage to win a single frame as Murphy sailed to an incredible whitewash in the best-of-seven encounter. The result comes after the 49-year-old admitted he’s eager to make amends with his estranged daughter, Taylor-Ann Magnus.
The Rocket has not spoken to his eldest child, 27, who he shares with ex-girlfriend Sally Magnus, in around a decade. And she made clear he would play no part in her life in 2022, after he equalled Stephen Hendry’s record seven Crucible titles, when she said: “He’s not part of my life. I wouldn’t want to someone like that around me and my child. I was 17 or 18 last time I saw him.”
She previously said he wouldn’t be involved with his granddaughter Zarah-Ann Magnus either, saying: “He might be world champion to some but he’s not fit to be called ‘Dad’ let alone ‘Grandad’ as far as I’m concerned. Zarah-Ann will grow up never knowing who he is. He’s made so many promises, but what he says and what he does are so different.
“Having a really s*** parent like you has shown me what is important in life. I have learnt from your mistakes and I know what actually matters. I am grateful for that. It’s the only valuable thing you’ve ever given me.”
Responding to her comments, when asked if he thought their estrangement would be permanent, O’Sullivan said: “I hope not. I think I’ve got to make some sort of amends.
“I don’t know how it’s going to work out. Hopefully, at some point, it might sort itself out. Who knows? I don’t know.”
O’Sullivan has two other children, 19-year-old Lily and 18-year-old Ronnie Jr, with another ex-partner, Jo Langley, who he dated in the mid-2000s.
The game in Riyadh saw Murphy quickly take control, narrowly missing a century break as he won the opening frame.
It seemed like O’Sullivan would level the score in the second frame, but a crucial miss on the pink gave 43-year-old Murphy the opportunity to double his lead. He seized it, leaving his legendary opponent with a daunting task.
The penultimate frame saw more of the same, with Murphy scoring a break of 93 to come within reach of a significant victory, reports the Express.
O’Sullivan was finally given a chance in the fourth and final frame but squandered it by inexplicably missing an easy yellow. The mistake clearly frustrated O’Sullivan, who returned to his chair with a pained grimace.
He didn’t get another shot at the table, with Murphy stylishly wrapping up the frame to secure an extraordinary triumph.