Snooker legend Ronnie O’Sullivan walked out of a 2006 UK Championship match against one of his heroes, leading to a three-year rift between the two icons
Snooker icon Ronnie O’Sullivan is famous for his explosive nature. Just over a year ago, the seven-time world champion was seen smashing his cue against the table before withdrawing from a competition.
The 50-year-old, who has never been one to hide his emotions, even became embroiled in an extended row with fellow snooker great Stephen Hendry. The dispute resulted in the pair avoiding one another for three years. It all began when O’Sullivan suddenly abandoned a match at the UK Championship in 2006.
He was trailing 4-0 to Hendry in their quarter-final encounter when the Wordsley-born player gathered his belongings and walked out. The incident left the snooker world stunned. Yet it appeared nobody was more surprised than Hendry, who chose to give O’Sullivan the silent treatment, as the latter revealed.
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During a 2010 interview, O’Sullivan stated: “After I walked last time Stephen – who is one of my heroes – fell out with me and didn’t talk to me for about three years. But I love the guy, and he’s the greatest snooker player of all time.”
Eventually, the two snooker legends reconciled and rebuilt their friendship. He continued: “We’re talking again now and text each other a lot, so there’s mutual respect.”
More than ten years on, they actually revisited the episode. During a chat on Hendry’s YouTube channel, the Scotsman enquired: “People still ask me about that. Have you ever watched it back and seen my face?”
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O’Sullivan replied: “It’s the best! You were absolutely dumbfounded. I had a lot going on off the table at home, and I wasn’t in the right frame of mind to play. I’d nearly done it in a few matches before.
“You were 4-1 up, and I thought, ‘I can’t take this, I need to get out of here’. My head just wasn’t right for playing. I just needed to be out of there. I can’t put it down to anything other than my life being in chaos.”
Showing his typical honesty yet again, ‘The Rocket’ recently confessed he’s simply “not a very good player anymore” whilst hinting he might retire his cue in the near future.
The seven-time world champion took part in the World Grand Prix last week but was eliminated 5-3 by Xiao Guodong in the last 16.
It’s been over two years since O’Sullivan secured a ranking tournament triumph, with the Rocket having reduced his appearances to better handle the final phase of his career.
Speaking to the South China Morning Post, he said: “There was no rustiness, I felt relaxed… I’m just not a very good player anymore. Deep down, I enjoy playing.”
He continued: “I have to accept [I’m not as good as I was] and find a way to keep playing without it driving me crazy. I have to manage my frustrations, and hope the snooker gods will be kind and put me to rest when they decide the time is right.”
O’Sullivan and Hendry will play each other for the first time in 15 years in the inaugural John Virgo Trophy in April in memory of the legendary commentator and player.