Exclusive: 'Like playing Novak Djokovic at tennis' - snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan compares himself to star

Ronnie O'Sullivan has told Eurosport's The Breakdown podcast that he sees comparisons between how he defeats opponents and how tennis star Novak Djokovic does. The 46-year-old has started the 2022/23 snooker campaign as the sport's undisputed world No. 1 after he conquered the Crucible for a record-equalling seventh time with his latest incredible showing on the biggest stage.

Ad The 39-time ranking-event winner joined Stephen Hendry as the most prolific world champion in modern history with his 18-13 triumph over 2019 champion Judd Trump in what was a memorable 46th final at the famous Sheffield venue. Snooker'It takes character, b******s, courage' – O'Sullivan on why success is 'a very lonely place'18/08/2022 AT 11:26 And O'Sullivan explained to Eurosport's Greg Rutherford and Orla Chennaoui why his opponents must find facing him similar to how tennis players feel coming up against 21-time Grand Slam singles champion Djokovic. The Breakdown returns this week for the second part of its first season.

Previous episodes have included conversations with Sir Chris Hoy, racing driver Jamie Chadwick and sprint legend Mark Cavendish. You can listen here. «It's not so much what you're thinking about, I know once I hit a certain spot that he is not going to be able to stay with this,» O'Sullivan told the Eurosport podcast.

«He might go a frame, two frames, three frames, or whatever, but he is going to crumble. Not through any fault of his own: just his game, physically, mentally, it all just comes down. »It all eventually falls apart for them, do you know what I mean? I just think 'you can't keep this up, I can'.