Ronnie O'Sullivan success story could see English Open stay in snooker GOAT's backyard for good
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ByEurosport
Published 13/01/2023 at 12:21 GMT
Word Snooker chief Steve Dawson has revealed the English Open could have found a permanent home in snooker GOAT Ronnie O'Sullivan's backyard. Dawson confirmed that the 2023 English Open will return to the Brentwood Centre in Essex, the home county of iconic world champions O'Sullivan and Steve Davis. "Brentwood could become the long-term home of the English Open," said Dawson on Friday.
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World champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has helped put Essex on the global sporting map and the snooker GOAT's remarkable success story could see the English Open remain there for good.
O'Sullivan and remain the biggest headline acts to emerge from Essex, but Stuart Bingham, Ali Carter, Mark King, Matthew Selt and Barry Hearn – the celebrated sports promoter and former manager of Davis and O'Sullivan – have also played a major role in raising the profile of the county as an exporter of green baize greats.
Mark Selby won the inaugural English Open at the Brentwood Centre last month with a 9-6 final victory over Luca Brecel before a sell-out crowd. World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson confirmed on Friday the Home Nations event will return to the venue this year.
Four-time world champion Selby described his victory as the highlight of his career after fighting depression.
“I think, for me, this probably has to go down as the biggest achievement for me from where I was back in January,” he said.
It was the last major ranking event of 2022, but will be staged between Monday 2 October and Sunday 8 October LIVE on Eurosport this year as Selby defends the Steve Davis trophy.
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“We are delighted to be heading back to Brentwood. It proved a fantastic location for the English Open last year and we were thrilled to see the venue packed every day and a great atmosphere," said Dawson.
The Home Nations Series has become a permanent fixture on the snooker calendar with Eurosport broadcasting the English Open, Northern Ireland Open, Scottish Open and Welsh Open to millions worldwide.
The English Open has been staged by Manchester, Barnsley, Crawley and Milton Keynes since 2016, but may have found a permanent home near the home of world No. 1 O'Sullivan, who is based in nearby Chigwell.
"Snooker has so much history in Essex and the county has produced some of the best players of all time," said Dawson.
"If the local fans continue to support this event then Brentwood could become the long-term home of the English Open.”
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