Ronnie O'Sullivan directly warned about 14-year-old wonderkid who could steal his throne

Ronnie O'Sullivan has been warned about one of the world's standout snooker prodigies, and the best 14-year-old Mark Williams has seen since the Rocket himself. Michal Szubarczyk is a name that could become familiar in years to come as he continues to make waves on the junior circuit.

The Pole produced an astounding result at the European Championships in Turkey earlier this month by winning the Under-16 and Under-18 categories. He followed that up with a mesmerising run to the final of the open age event, in which he lost to Liam Highfield but still earned himself a two-year World Snooker Tour card.

Szubarczyk is now the youngest-ever player to turn pro, and he has an admirer in three-time world champion Williams, who was at the tournament to witness his talent first-hand. The Welshman believes that he is an O'Sullivan-level prospect.

"I was in Turkey watching the Europeans," he told Metro. "I watched a young boy there and came back and told everyone in the club that this is one of the best 14-year-olds I’ve ever seen in my life. Up there with O’Sullivan. Maybe not as good, but not far away.

"Every time I watched him he was knocking in 80s, 90s, 100s. It was frightening. I didn’t think he’d get on the tour this quickly, but he’s unbelievable."

Some pundits have discussed the possibility of Szubarczyk deferring his tour card until he has at least finished school. But having watched him in the flesh, Williams believes he is good enough to give seasoned professionals a problem straight away.

"I think he’ll definitely win games," he continued. "Obviously he’s going to struggle, he’s a 14-year-old boy, but I would have been calling to get him on [the tour] even if he hadn’t got on. That’s the kind of person you want on.

"If he drops off he’s got two years’ experience, then if he gets back on at 16 or 17 he’s ready to beat some people. I’d seen him play the year before in Albania as well. He looked good then but Jesus Christ he’s improved."

Like Szubarczyk, O'Sullivan was a junior prodigy. He had won a club tournament at the age of nine and the British Under-16 Championship by 13, before piling in a 147 break in competitive play at the English Amateur Championship shortly after his 15th birthday.