Ronnie O’Sullivan: ‘I’ve developed my own belief system based on the snooker gods’

12.10.2022 - 20:51 metro.co.uk

Ronnie O’Sullivan says that he ‘genuinely believe there’s a snooker god out there’ and he is being looked after by the higher power of the baize.The Rocket regularly mentions the snooker gods and the influence these deities wield over his matches, but he now insists that they impact his life away from the table as well.While the world champion acknowledges that it is an unusual ‘belief system’ to base his life around, the thought of the snooker god has helped him overcome trying times.‘The newspapers have talked about me getting involved with all sorts of religions, but I’ve developed my own belief system based on the snooker gods,’ O’Sullivan told The Times. ‘I know people will laugh at that, but I genuinely believe there’s a snooker god out there who’s been looking after me.

If I talk to anyone before I go to sleep, it’s him. He’s the one who convinced me that there really was a way out of the darkness.’The world number one has often spoken of overcoming addiction earlier in his career, through entering rehab in 2000 and then focusing his life on healthier pursuits than alcohol and drugs, like running and cooking.The 46-year-old has credited his family and renowned sports psychiatrist Dr Steve Peters, among others, for heling him overcome his issues, but also reckons the snooker gods have smiled down on him.Ronnie O'Sullivan reacts to epic comeback to beat Neil Robertson at Hong Kong MastersMarco Fu enjoys 'special' win at Hong Kong Masters after thinking snooker career was over'I knew I couldn't win' — Mark Williams on 'strange' Hong Kong Masters experience‘I have always believed in the snooker gods,’ he told the Daily Mail. ‘I am not a religious person, I am not a spiritual person – other than taking care of myself

Sporting O’Sullivan on Neil Robertson Mark Williams Ronnie Osullivan Hong Kong Hong Kong county Robertson

Action packed schedule Ad What a line up we have today at the Northern Ireland Open with Ronnie O'Sullivan heading up the billing in Belfast. Northern Ireland Open‘We should be finished!’ – Higgins unsure why younger players are struggling to make breakthrough18 HOURS AGO 10:00 Lyu Haotian v Mark King Elliot Slessor v Yan Bingtao Tian Pengfei v Martin Gould 13:00 Dominic Dale v Zhou Yuelong David Grace v Ronnie O'Sullivan Xiao Guodong v Hossein Vafaei 14:00 Jimmy Robertson v Mark Williams Neil Robertson v John Astley Li Hang v Jordan Brown 19:00 Michael White v Barry Hawkins Hammah Miah v Mark Selby Trump/Hill v Tom Ford 20:00 Mark Allen v Andy Lee Stephen Maguire v Kyren Wilson David Lilley v David Gilbert Referee drama with White Ronnie O’Sullivan believes the behaviour of referee Ben Williams was “uncalled for” after a spat between the official and Jimmy White. In the fourth frame of White’s second round match against Luca Brecel at the Northern Ireland Open, which he lost 4-0, Williams wrongly called which ball The Whirlwind was going for.

Ronnie O’Sullivan says referee Ben Williams' behaviour 'uncalled for' in Jimmy White spat at Northern Ireland Open

Ronnie O’Sullivan believes the behaviour of referee Ben Williams was “uncalled for” after a spat between the official and Jimmy White. In the fourth frame of White’s second round match against Luca Brecel at the Northern Ireland Open, which he lost 4-0, Williams wrongly called which ball The Whirlwind was going for. Ad Williams laughed at the situation which White wasn’t happy with, so he gesticulated at the official — seemingly waving a finger at the referee — and was given a warning for his actions.

'I like winners' - Ronnie O'Sullivan puts Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Tiger Woods on his greatest list

Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed his top sports stars of all time, after former footballer Jamie Carragher namechecked the snooker great on his list. Former England international Carragher put O’Sullivan in his top three greatest sports people of all time, alongside multiple Olympic champion athlete Usain Bolt and unbeaten boxing great Floyd Mayweather. Ad O’Sullivan admitted to being flattered by Carragher’s comments, but moved to clarify what the Liverpool legend said.

'They are Federer, Nadal and Djokovic of snooker' – Neil Robertson hails O'Sullivan, Higgins, Williams

Neil Robertson will play his first ranking event of the season at the Northern Ireland Open on Sunday feeling blessed the sport's holy trinity are still top of the pots. The 2010 world champion faced six-time world champion Steve Davis and seven-time Crucible winner Stephen Hendry in the death throes of their competitive career, but continues to confront Class of '92 icons Ronnie O'Sullivan, John Higgins and Mark Williams in their prime.

‘He does things that make you go wow!’: Jamie Carragher says Ronnie O’Sullivan is in his top 3 sporting GOATs

Jamie Carragher says Ronnie O’Sullivan is in his top three list of all-time greatest sportspeople, stating that the snooker player does things that “make you go wow”. O’Sullivan is widely regarded as the best snooker player ever with seven World Championships, seven UK Championship titles and seven titles at The Masters which add up to a record 21 Triple Crown titles. Ad He also has the most ranking titles, with 39, and has been among the sport’s elite for two decades.

How to watch Northern Open snooker 2022, draw, schedule and live stream with Ronnie O’Sullivan in action

The snooker season is about to get very busy with the first of the Home Nations tournaments, the Northern Ireland Open, starting on Sunday. Following his triumph at the Hong Kong Masters, Ronnie O’Sullivan will look to extend his lead at the top of the snooker rankings by going deep into the tournament in Belfast. Ad Mark Allen is the defending champion after he beat John Higgins in one of the matches of the season in a deciding frame.