Ronnie O’Sullivan describes his work with Zhao Xintong and claims: ‘He could be the greatest of all time’

Ronnie O’Sullivan reckons Zhao Xintong could be the greatest player of all time and he is helping him do just that by imparting some of his break-building mastery on the young star.

The Rocket has long been a fan of the Cyclone and is looking to help him develop his immense talent, which has seen him win the UK Championship and German Masters this season.

Zhao is yet to develop much consistency, with the two titles coming in an otherwise quiet campaign for the 25-year-old – not winning more than two matches in any other event.

O’Sullivan has been to Victoria’s Academy in Sheffield, where Zhao is based, to help sharpen his skills, with the Chinese star saying it is to improve the way he thinks about the game.

‘We talk like friends, just about thinking about snooker, he teaches me a lot and he’s a good man. He’s the best player, a legend,’ Zhao told Metro.co.uk.

‘It’s how to think. I think this is very important. The top players are all so great, so thinking is important.’

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O’Sullivan went into further detail about how he is helping Zhao think on the table and it is largely about the art of break-building.

The Rocket is the game’s greatest break-builder, thanks to his immense potting ability but more to his control of the white ball.

This is what he is trying to improve in Zhao, although O’Sullivan says it has been an interesting process in trying to teach the Cyclone, because much of it comes to him without thinking, so describing it to someone else is a new challenge.

‘With Zhao, it’s more about, why have