Tony Knowles breaks down why Ronnie O'Sullivan hasn't quit snooker – 'He's done amazing to come back'
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ByEurosport
Updated 25/03/2024 at 18:36 GMT
Ronnie O'Sullivan has threatened to quit snooker several times since turning professional in 1992, but is enjoying one of his best seasons in the sport with title victories at the Shanghai Masters, UK Championship, Masters, World Grand Prix and Riyadh World Masters. 1980s favourite Tony Knowles has his own theory on why O'Sullivan is still producing the goods at the very top level.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan has been given the chance to rebuild his career due to the amount of matches he can play in the modern professional era, according to former world No. 2 Tony Knowles.
O'Sullivan turned professional in 1992, but has become a serial winner in recent years in claiming four of his seven world titles since 2012 – including 19 of his 41 career ranking titles – four of his eight Masters crowns, four Champion of Champions titles and three of his five Shanghai Masters victories.
He has also spent the past two years as world No. 1 amid claiming a record-equalling seventh Crucible title with an 18-13 final win over Judd Trump two years ago.
Yet there was a time when O'Sullivan's future in the sport looked in doubt as he went three years without winning a ranking event and dropped out of the world's top 10 until his German Masters success in 2012 opened the floodgates for a sustained period of success.
1980s favourite Knowles believes the secret behind O'Sullivan powers of recovery is due to being afforded more playing opportunities today than four decades ago.
"I think Ronnie has done amazing to come back because he went through a bad period," said Knowles, who believes he suffered similar problems in failing to handle tabloid scrutiny during his era at the snooker summit.
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"I fully understand the period that he went through. I think the only reason he's come out of it and I didn't is that we didn't have the matches to play.
"He's had a lot of matches to actually recover. Being able to come back and build it back up again. Now he's got into a position where he's happy with it.
"So many times he's been in a position where he's wanted to quit. I've been through that. Of not feeling right."
O'Sullivan begins his Tour Championship bid against Barry Hawkins or Ali Carter in Manchester next Wednesday before he chases an eighth world title at the Crucible.
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"I don't think people appreciate the actual pressure it puts you under when there is a general public out there," said Bolton player Knowles on the BBC Framed podcast.
"A lot are very nice, and some who aren't nice. You've got to just stand there and take it. That's why I relate to Ronnie, and talk to him a bit. I don't think they understand the volume."
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