Ronnie O’Sullivan offered up a comparison between snooker and golf, saying the contest can boil down to match play and when to risk and when not to risk. Speaking in the Eurosport studio, the seven-time world champion feels sizing up your opponent is important. Stream top snooker action, including the 2024 World Championship, live and on-demand on Eurosport and discovery+
Ronnie O’Sullivan provided an insight into competing at the highest level, with it being a balance of playing the opponent and the table.
O’Sullivan is viewed by the majority as the greatest player to pick up a cue, and has seven world titles on his glittering CV.
An eighth World Championship eluded him this year, following defeat to Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals.
The World Championship has reached the semi-final stage, with Bingham facing Jak Jones and Kyren Wilson taking on David Gilbert.
The matches are tight, and pressure will ramp up as the winning line approaches.
O’Sullivan feels the key to success is assessing the situation and doing the right things.
When asked in the Eurosport studio if you are playing the balls or the opponent, O’Sullivan replied: “A bit of both.
“Some players you know if you play a certain style that you stand up to them it can affect them.
“Sometimes you have to not show fear; sometimes you can just be yourself and know that will be enough. Sometimes you just have to play the right shot.”
O’Sullivan compared snooker to match play in golf.
“It is match play at the end of the day,” the 23-time Triple Crown winner said. “If it is a golf tournament and you are just playing match play you are playing your opponent. Do I take the risk now, is it worth it? Whereas in stroke play you just have to beat the field.
“Snooker is a little bit like trying to assess the situation and when to be brave and when not to be brave.
“It is all those things and trying to do the right thing at the right time.”
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Stream top snooker action, including the 2024 World Championship, live and on-demand on Eurosport and discovery+
