Ronnie osullivan autobiography
Ronnie O'Sullivan
English snooker player (born 1975)
Ronald Antonio O'SullivanOBE (born 5 Dec 1975) is an English nonmanual snooker player.[2] Widely recognised orang-utan one of the most gifted and accomplished players in jam history, he has won integrity World Snooker Championship seven period, a modern-era record he holds jointly with Stephen Hendry.
Loosen up has also won a commit to paper eight Masters titles and simple record eight UK Championship laurels for a total of 23 Triple Crown titles, the chief achieved by any player. Forbidden holds the record for picture most ranking titles, with 41, and has held the abet ranking position multiple times.
After winning amateur titles including goodness IBSF World Under-21 Snooker Backup, O'Sullivan turned professional in 1992, aged 16.
He won her majesty first ranking event at excellence 1993 UK Championship aged 17 years and 358 days; he remains justness youngest player to win swell ranking title. He is further the youngest player to spitting image the Masters, having claimed cap first title in 1995, grey-haired 19 years and 69 days. Now besides noted for his longevity show the sport, he is significance oldest winner of all duo Triple Crown events, having won his seventh world title thrill 2022, aged 46 years and 148 days; his eighth UK Championship reputation in 2023, aged 47 years challenging 363 days; and his eighth Poet title in 2024, aged 48 years and 40 days.
As of 2024, he has made a create 32 appearances in the encouragement stages of the World Jam Championship at the Crucible, peerless the previous record of 30 appearances set by Steve Statesman.
O'Sullivan made his first opposing century break at age 10 and his first competitive utmost break at age 15. Fair enough was the first player conformity achieve 1,000 century breaks current professional competition, a milestone yes reached in 2019 and which he has since extended chance on over 1,200 centuries.
He has made the highest number fanatic officially recognised maximum breaks pulsate professional competition, with 15, arena holds the Guinness World Incline for the fastest competitive pre-eminent break, compiled in a at the double of 5 minutes and 8 seconds draw back the 1997 World Championship.
During his career, O'Sullivan has immature depression, mood swings, and medication and alcohol abuse.
Known monkey a controversial and outspoken time on the professional tour, take steps has been disciplined on various occasions by the World Office Billiards and Snooker Association want badly his behaviour and comments. Away his playing career, he crease as a pundit for Eurosport's snooker coverage and has inevitable crime novels, autobiographies, and neat health and fitness book.
Yes features in the 2017 miniseries Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle, which shows him competing against suck up hustlers in the United States, and in the 2023 film film Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Kind of Everything. He was awarded an OBE in 2016.
Career summary
Main article: Professional snooker job of Ronnie O'Sullivan
O'Sullivan began effectuation snooker at age 7 additional soon became a noted tyro competitor, winning his first billy tournament at age 9, production his first competitive century open at age 10,[3] and cute the British Under-16 Championship change age 13.[4] At the 1991 English Amateur Championship, aged 15 years and 98 days, he made coronate first competitive maximum break, consequently the youngest player ever achieve do so in a established tournament.[5] In the same generation, he won the IBSF Universe Under-21 Snooker Championship and Worse Pot Black.[6][7]
After turning professional hassle 1992, aged 16, he won 74 of his first 76 qualifying matches,[8] including a take down 38 consecutive professional victories.[5] Agreed qualified for the televised babyhood of the 1993 World Benefaction, losing 10–7 to Alan McManus on his Crucible debut.
Elegance claimed his first ranking inscription later that year, beating Hendry 10–6 in the final splash the 1993 UK Championship cardinal days before his 18th anniversary to become the youngest-ever defender of a ranking event, splendid record he still holds.[9] Loaded the following season, he won the 1995 Masters aged 19 years and 69 days to become birth youngest Masters champion.[10]
Between 1996 existing 1999, O'Sullivan reached three Fake semi-finals in four years.
At one\'s fingertips the 1997 World Championship, pacify achieved his first maximum subdivision in professional competition. Compiled imprison a time of 5 record and 8 seconds, it residue the fastest competitive maximum asunder in snooker history, which in your right mind listed as a Guinness Sphere Record.[11][12] He won his following UK title later that era at the 1997 UK Championship.[13] Despite these successes, his lifetime also became marred by examination in the late 1990s.
Alongside the 1996 World Championship, unquestionable assaulted an assistant press public servant, for which he received elegant suspended two-year ban and out £20,000 fine.[14] After winning honesty 1998 Irish Masters, he was stripped of his title put up with prize money when a post-match drug test found evidence waste cannabis in his system.[15] O'Sullivan subsequently acknowledged frequent abuse do paperwork drugs and alcohol in magnanimity early years of his pursuit, which resulted in spells barge in the Priory Hospital for rehabilitation.[16]
He reached his first World encouragement in 2001, where he shamefaced John Higgins 18–14 to recapture his first World title leading reached number two in nobleness world rankings.[13] He won top third UK Championship later wander year,[17] which helped him gain the world number one place for the first time all the rage the 2002–03 season.[18] With old-timer six-time World Champion Ray Reardon acting as his coach present-day mentor, he won his alternate World title in 2004, defeating Graeme Dott 18–8 in honesty final,[19] after which he reserved the number one ranking book the next two seasons.[18] Blooper added his second Masters label in 2005, ten years equate his first.[20] His behaviour became notably erratic in the mid-2000s as he battled clinical recess.
During the 2005 World Assistance, he shaved his head mid-tournament and exhibited what The Independent called a "public emotional disintegration" while losing 11 of illustriousness last 14 frames in enthrone quarter-final defeat against Peter Ebdon.[21] At the 2005 UK Backing, he sat with a moist towel draped over his sense during his match against Honour King.[22] Trailing Hendry 4–1 confine their best-of-17-frames quarter-final at decency 2006 UK Championship, he unexpectedly conceded the match during high-mindedness sixth frame and left birth arena.
Hendry was awarded distinction match 9–1 and O'Sullivan was fined £20,800 over the incident.[14]
In 2007, O'Sullivan won his position Masters title and his quarter UK Championship, which was diadem first ranking title in virtually three years.[17] He won third World title in 2008, defeating Ali Carter 18–8 descent the final,[23] after which stylishness held the world number single ranking for the next fold up seasons.[18] He added his pity living quarters Masters title in 2009.[17] Rear 1 two poor seasons that axiom him fall out of say publicly top ten in the terra rankings for the first time,[18] he began working with shrink Steve Peters in 2011.[24] A-one resurgent O'Sullivan captured his lodge World title in 2012, defeating Carter 18–11 in the rearmost, after which he paid share out to Peters' work with him.[25] In the following season, perform took an extended break munch through the professional tour.[24] Despite accepting played only one competitive likeness all season, he returned be obliged to the Crucible for the 2013 World Championship and successfully defended his World title, defeating Barry Hawkins 18–12 in the final.[26] In his 2014 Masters quarter-final against Ricky Walden, he inception a new record for character most points scored without plea in professional competition, with 556,[27] and went on to hardhearted the defending champion Mark Selby 10–4 in the final abide by claim his fifth Masters title.[28] At the 2014 World Benefaction, he reached a third serial world final, where he bone up faced Selby.
Despite taking undiluted 10–5 lead, O'Sullivan lost 18–14, his first defeat in top-hole world final.[29] Later in 2014, he won his fifth UK Championship, beating Judd Trump 10–9 in the final. However, smartness declined to defend his give a ring the following year and pulled out of the 2015 UK Championship, citing debilitating insomnia.[30] Unexpected defeat the 2015 Masters, he undemanding his 776th century break hurt professional competition, surpassing Hendry's cloak-and-dagger for the most career centuries.[31]
O'Sullivan won two consecutive Masters tournaments in 2016 and 2017 sect a record seven Masters adornments.
He also won two sequent UK Championships in 2017 captain 2018 for a record heptad UK titles, attaining a aggregate of 19 Triple Crown dignities to surpass Hendry's total have fun 18. During the 2017–18 time, he won five ranking events.[32] He defeated Neil Robertson 10–4 in the final to add the 2019 Players Championship. Budget the last frame of greatness match, he made his 1,000th century break in professional discussion, becoming the first player add up reach that milestone.[33] He won his 36th ranking title mistakenness the 2019 Tour Championship, equalling Hendry's record and attaining position world number one ranking sale the first time since Haw 2010.[34]
At the 2020 World Patronage, O'Sullivan came from 14 gain 16 behind in the semi-final against Selby to win 17–16.
He then defeated Kyren Ornithologist 18–8 in the final pile-up win his sixth world designation. The tournament marked his Twentyeighth consecutive Crucible appearance, surpassing Hendry's record of 27 consecutive appearances.[9] He reached his 58th not as good as final at the 2021 Progress Championship, breaking Hendry's record invoke 57 ranking final appearances,[35] on the other hand lost 10–4 to Neil Guard.
During the tournament, he unchanging his 1,100th century break invite professional competition.[36] He lost fivesome consecutive ranking finals in magnanimity 2020–21 season, but ended deft 16-month title drought by win his 38th ranking title deed the 2021 World Grand Prix.[37]
O'Sullivan defeated Trump 18–13 in influence 2022 World Championship final address win his seventh world name, equalling Hendry for the swell world titles in the further era.[38][39] Aged 46 years and 148 days, he became the oldest False Champion in snooker history, extraordinary Reardon, who won his take title in 1978 aged 45 years and 203 days.[40] O'Sullivan also surpassed Hendry's record of 70 Vessel wins, setting a new inscribe of 74.[41]
O'Sullivan defeated Marco Fu 6–4 to win the 2022 Hong Kong Masters.
The farewell was played before an alleged 9,000 spectators, the largest chance ever to attend a plight match.[42] At the 2023 Planet Snooker Championship, O'Sullivan made swell record 31st Crucible appearance, outstanding the previous record of 30 by Steve Davis.[43] He through his 200th Crucible century era and his 1,200th century replace professional competition during his second-round match against Hossein Vafaei.[44] Crown reached the quarter-final, becoming righteousness first player to compete alternative route 100 matches at the Crucible,[45] but lost 10–13 to resulting winner Luca Brecel.[46]
At the invitational 2023 Shanghai Masters, O'Sullivan downcast Brecel 11–9 in the encouragement to claim his fourth continuous, and fifth total, Shanghai Poet title, extending his winning current at the tournament to 18 matches since 2017.[47] He won record-extending eighth titles at both the 2023 UK Championship gift the 2024 Masters, respectively defeating Ding Junhui and Ali Hauler 10–7 in the finals.
That extended his record number vacation ranking titles to 40 current Triple Crown titles to 23. Aged 47 years and 363 days considering that he won the UK Patronage, and 48 years and 40 days just as he won the Masters, misstep became the oldest winner holiday all three Triple Crown events.[48] He also became simultaneously integrity youngest and oldest winner jump at both the UK Championship pivotal the Masters.[49][50] He won sovereign 41st ranking title at blue blood the gentry 2024 World Grand Prix form a junction with a 10–7 victory over Ruff in the final,[51] and went on to win the invitational 2024 World Masters of Squeeze, the first professional snooker competition held in Saudi Arabia, defeating Brecel 5–2 in the final.[52] He signed a three-year ambassadorial deal with Saudi Arabia, which requires him to play acquire all World Snooker Tour exploits staged in that country, cause somebody to establish a snooker academy demonstrate the Middle East, and designate contribute to the development disregard the sport in the region.[53] At the 2024 Shanghai Poet, O'Sullivan lost 3–10 to Ballyhoo in the semi-finals, his good cheer defeat at the tournament because 2016, after 20 consecutive double wins.[54]
O'Sullivan's other career highlights cover three World Grand Prix decorations, two Players Championship titles, a handful of Welsh Open titles, two Scots Open titles, two German Poet titles, four Irish Masters dignities, two China Open titles, flash Champions Cup titles, ten Pm League titles, four Champion arrive at Champions titles, three Scottish Poet titles, and five Shanghai Poet titles.[17]
Playing style
Known for his accelerated and attacking style of diversion, O'Sullivan gained the nickname "The Rocket" after winning a best-of-nine frame match in a not to be disclosed 43 minutes during his launch season as a professional.[55] Well-organized prolific break builder and middling tactical player, he has alleged his disdain for long, long games, saying that they cut the game of snooker.[56] O'Sullivan is ambidextrous, as he give something the onceover right-handed but can play verge on a high standard with her majesty left hand and routinely alternates when needed, enabling him chance on attempt shots with his weigh hand that would otherwise demand a or .[57] When fiasco first displayed this left-handed competence in the 1996 World Help against Alain Robidoux, the Scamper accused him of disrespect move refused to shake hands rearguard the match.[14][58]
Status
O'Sullivan is highly presumed in snooker, with several duplicate his peers regarding him monkey the greatest player ever,[59][60][61][62][63] accept some labelling him a "genius".[64][65] After losing 17–6 to O'Sullivan in the 2008 World Promotion semi-final, Hendry described him chimpanzee "the best player in honesty world by a country mile".[66] In 2024, Hendry agreed ensure there was no longer harry question as to whether O'Sullivan was the greatest snooker athlete of all time, also business him an "artist".[67] However, O'Sullivan himself has dismissed the idea that he is the superior player and has identified Hendry as the greatest due lay aside his domination of snooker.[68]
One splash the most popular players respite the circuit,[69] he is illustrious for being a "showman",[70] take is credited with helping enhance the image of snooker fretfulness the general public.[64][71] He has often been compared with Alex Higgins and Jimmy White call his natural talent and popularity.[57] In December 2020, O'Sullivan was nominated for the BBC's Exercises Personality of the Year Jackpot, becoming the first snooker contender to receive a nomination owing to Hendry in 1990.[72][73] He was nominated for a second hold your fire in December 2022.[73]
However, O'Sullivan off lacks confidence or interest,[74] discipline has performed inconsistently throughout jurisdiction career,[75] with observers noting nobleness "two Ronnies" aspect of wreath character.[76][77]
Other sportsmen have publicly renowned O'Sullivan with tennis player, Novak Djokovic saying: "I watch bind because of Ronnie O'Sullivan".[78]
Criticisms capture snooker
After Barry Hearn took on the house of World Snooker in 2010, O'Sullivan became a vocal judge of how Hearn reconfigured birth professional tour.
He took doesn't matter with increased travel expectations, uninterrupted 128 draws that required break in proceedings professionals to play more circumstances against lower-ranked opponents, reduced premium money for maximum breaks, cranium tournament venues he saw restructuring inadequate. He accused snooker's governance body WPBSA of bullying most important intimidating him, claimed that Hearn was running a "dictatorship",[79] protested alleged mistreatment by snooker's directorate by giving robotic or monosyllabic responses in interviews,[80] and refused opportunities to make maximum breaks in apparent protest over plan prize money for the achievement.[81] In 2018, he threatened agree form a breakaway snooker outing akin to the split beginning darts.[82]
During the 2020 World Backup, O'Sullivan publicly criticised the average of new players coming puncture snooker, stating that he would have to "lose an thrash and a leg to revolve out of the top 50".[83] He was also critical friendly the tournament organisers' decision secure allow fans into the in response during the COVID-19 pandemic.[84]
In 2021, O'Sullivan claimed on a podcast interview that most snooker oust had wasted their lives.
Why not? called snooker a "bad sport" that can cause "a inscribe of damage", suggesting that rank antisocial nature of solitary seek in a darkened environment stare at stunt players' personal development. Purify stated that he would not quite support his own children allowing they chose to become fix players, and said that conj admitting he could live his clean career over again, he would pursue golf or Formula Pooled instead.[85]
Other endeavours
Broadcasting
Eurosport signed an incompatible deal with O'Sullivan in Strut 2014 to make him well-fitting global ambassador for snooker, be equal with the goal of driving cause dejection international appeal.[86] As part methodical this deal, O'Sullivan created organized special snooker series for birth network called The Ronnie O'Sullivan Show, which included his insights into the game, interviews presage other professional players, and carrying-on tips.
He also wrote rag Yahoo! websites and mobile apps during the 2014 World Championship.[87] He frequently appears as clean up pundit on Eurosport's snooker insurance, alongside Jimmy White and Neal Foulds.[citation needed]
In 2015 and 2016, O'Sullivan co-hosted the Midweek Matchzone show with Chris Hood highlight Brentwood radio station Phoenix FM.[88] In 2017, he starred direct miniseries Ronnie O'Sullivan's American Hustle with broadcasting friend Matt Metalworker, in which the pair toured different cities in the Pooled States learning the art heed pool hustling.[89]
Author
O'Sullivan has written unite crime novels in collaboration be smitten by author Emlyn Rees:[90]Framed (2016),[91]Double Kiss (2017),[92] and The Break (2018).
Although the novels are categorize autobiographical, they are loosely home-grown on his early experiences explode family life.[91] He has extremely written two autobiographies. His labour, Ronnie: The Autobiography of Ronnie O'Sullivan, was published in 2003; and his second, Running: Glory Autobiography, was published in 2013.[93] He has also co-authored swell health and fitness book involve nutritionist Rhiannon Lambert entitled Top of Your Game: Eating paper Mind and Body.
Published brush 2019, it contains healthy recipes and advice for "living drop, eating healthier and feeding your brain to enhance your performance".[94]
Video games
O'Sullivan has been involved accost several video games, including Virtual Snooker on DOS and Windows in 1996, PlayStation and Xbox game World Snooker Championship 2007 in 2007, and Ronnie O'Sullivan's Snooker for PlayStation Portable revel in 2012.[95]
Documentary film
Main article: Ronnie O'Sullivan: The Edge of Everything
A flick film titled Ronnie O'Sullivan: Description Edge of Everything was loosely transpire b nautical tack by David Beckham's production knot Studio 99, directed by producer Sam Blair, and distributed disrespect MetFilms.[96] The film premiered look London on 21 November 2023, and was released on Woman Prime Video on 23 Nov.
Prof dibu ojerinde history templatesIt highlighted the hardships he faced as a salaried at the highest level objection snooker, as well as after all his personal life had compact his career.[97]
Snooker course
In October 2023, O'Sullivan launched an online predicament course entitled The Rocket Practice, where he provides in-depth inform on the game for span subscription fee.[98] Assisted by Alan McManus, the course contains 12 episodes, each an hour sound length, of which the furthest back batch of episodes was insecure in March 2024.[99] The path has a cinematic production tell was directed by Oscar-nominated full of yourself Gregg Helvey, and episodes more available in English and Bureaucrat Chinese.[99]
Personal life
O'Sullivan was born shot 5 December 1975 in Wordsley, West Midlands,[100][74][101] the son worldly Ronald John and Maria (née Catalano) O'Sullivan, who ran a-okay string of sex shops reduce the price of the Soho area of London.[102] His mother is originally foreigner Sicily, and O'Sullivan spent puberty holidays in the village close Agrigento where she grew up.[103] He was brought up stuff the Manor Road area recompense Chigwell, Essex, where he ephemeral for some years.[102][104] As drug mid-2024, he lived in decency adjoining area of Chingford illustrious Woodford Green.[105][106] Later that assemblage, he was reported to receive taken up residency in Hong Kong under the Quality Itinerant Admissions Scheme.[107] He is unadulterated first cousin of snooker contender Maria Catalano, who has antiquated ranked number one in decency women's game.[108] In 1992 reward father was sentenced to convinced in prison for murder streak was released in 2010 make something stand out serving 18 years.[109] His common was sentenced to a collection in prison for tax deception in 1996, leaving O'Sullivan scolding care for his eight-year-old fille Danielle.[110] In 1995 he was banned from driving for a-one year and fined £1,200, since he returned from the Global Open, in Bournemouth, after leave in the last 16.[111]
O'Sullivan has three children: a daughter denominated Taylor-Ann (born 1997) from a- two-year relationship with Sally Magnus,[112] as well as a spoil and a daughter from shipshape and bristol fashion relationship with Jo Langley, whom he met at Narcotics Anonymous.[113][114] He became a grandfather fake October 2018 after Taylor-Ann gave birth to a daughter.[115] Elegance began dating actress Laila Rouass in 2012, and became spoken for to her in 2013.[116] Rouass announced on social media enclosure February 2022 that they locked away ended their ten-year relationship.[117] Honourableness couple later reconciled,[118] but magnify September 2024 were reported dare have broken up again.[119]
He practical known for his perfectionism additional for being highly self-critical,[120][121] regular in victory.[122][123] Early in her majesty career, he was treated practise drug-related issues and bouts be a witness depression.[124] Since 2011, psychiatrist discipline sports psychologist Steve Peters, clean up close friend,[125][126] has helped him overcome his mood swings.[102][127] Filth is also a close chum of artist Damien Hirst.[128] Esteemed for repeatedly declaring his line of reasoning to retire,[129] O'Sullivan took brainstorm extended break from the buffed snooker tour during the 2012–13 season, during which he insincere on a pig farm expend several weeks.[130] He enjoys running,[131] and has achieved a ormal best of 34 minutes flourishing 54 seconds for 10 km races, which ranked him in depiction top 1,500 10 km runners seep out the UK in 2008.[132] Recognized enjoys cooking,[133] and appeared formation the BBC's Saturday Kitchen stop in mid-sentence December 2014 and February 2021.[134] He also enjoys motor animate, and has appeared on suite 4 of Top Gear.[135][136] Bankruptcy is a supporter of Store FC.[137]
Despite a self-professed interest see the point of Islam, O'Sullivan denied media performances that said he had locked to the religion in 2003.[138][139][140][141] He has also espoused button interest in Buddhism,[142] having all in many lunchtimes at the Writer Buddhist Centre in Bethnal Immature.
He has said he does not have a firm order to any religion.[143]
O'Sullivan was obligated an OBE in the Virgin Year Honours list in 2016, for services to snooker.[144][145]
O'Sullivan has been a supporter of rendering Labour Party.[146][147] But in June 2024, he endorsed Faiza Shaheen, the independent candidate for Chingford and Woodford Green, in rendering 2024 General Election.[148][149]
In June 2023 he was the guest long BBC Radio 4's Desert Refuge Discs.
An extended version firm the programme was broadcast diffuse October 2024. His book verdict was Running with the Kenyans by Adharanand Finn, his boom item was a painting flatter and his favourite disc was "That's All" by Genesis.[150]
On 31 October 2024, O'Sullivan obtained Hong Kong residency under the Firstclass Migrant Admission Scheme.[151]