Ronnie O’Sullivan: Rivals are just ‘jealous’
SOME of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s rivals are jealous of his success, he believes.
And, The Rocket says, they envy his big following.
O’Sullivan, 36, won a sensational fourth world title at the Crucible in May, and took a sabbatical.
He was then ruled out of tour events after a row with supremo Barry Hearn.
But with the dispute resolved, O’Sullivan will compete in the International Championship in China in three weeks.
And he knows not everyone will roll out the red carpet for him.
Some players have criticised O’Sullivan for missing events.
But he has hit back, saying some rivals are more interested in celebrity than glory.
He said: “Line up 50 players against a wall, and I could pick out the ones who were for me and against me.
Some people get me, some don’t. There probably is some jealousy there
“Some people get me, some don’t. There probably is some jealousy there.
“I get 1,000 people watching at some venues, they only get a few. Maybe that is difficult for some, and seeing the adulation for another player.
“They just want to be famous and are happy with second, third or fourth.
“I want to play, enjoy, compete – and win.”