Ronnie O’Sullivan says Saudi Arabia’s involvement in snooker has made his life easier and claims fans were ‘too quick’ to judge after Riyadh’s dance of the season was introduced at the month’s event past.
O’Sullivan, who has signed a new three-year ambassadorship deal with Riyadh Season, spoke to Mail Sport about the way players are “pampered” in Saudi Arabia.
He said players have access to additional practice tables, are provided with a banquet lunch and dinner and are driven to and from events to allow them to focus on their pool.
O’Sullivan also said that the introduction of the Riyadh Season ball at the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters event last month actually improved the game rather than hindered it.
He felt that fans were wrong to criticize the concept when it first appeared, as it gave players the opportunity to win a life-changing amount of money without changing or compromising the traditional rules.
Ronnie O’Sullivan says Saudi Arabia’s involvement in snooker has made his life easier
He sat down with Mail Sport after his embassy deal with Saudi Arabia was announced.
O’Sullivan sat down with Mail Sport after his ambassador deal was announced, which will see him take part in all World Snooker Tour events in Saudi Arabia and make special trips to the Kingdom to coach aspiring talent.
The conversation with Mail Sport also came after Riyadh Season agreed to become an official partner of snooker’s most prestigious tournament, the World Billiards Championship.
Speaking about the difference between Saudi tournaments and those held in other nations, O’Sullivan said: “I think the tournaments we travel to Asia and Saudi Arabia are different from the others.
‘Many more things are offered to you. You don’t have to worry about food because in the afternoon and evening there is a banquet for all the players and all the referees.
‘You don’t have to waste time worrying or thinking about where you’re going to eat. Instead of having maybe four practice tables for 120 players, they will have 12 tables. So, you can go and practice whenever you want. You can take your time. There is no rush as there usually is at these events.
‘They also provide courtesy cars to take you to and from events. You really don’t have to do anything except play pool.
‘Sometimes the headache [at other events] It becomes what I’m going to eat, how I’m going to get there. Once you eliminate all the headaches, it becomes like, “It’s okay, I just need to go play pool.” As a player, that’s the most important thing. I just want to go play pool.
O’Sullivan, who has won a record 23 Triple Crown titles, added: “I’ve always managed to just focus on snooker, but that makes my life easier.” Even if you put me in the most horrendous environment, I have this ability that allows me to just turn on and play. Since I was a child, it’s all I’ve done. Play billiards.
The conversation with Mail Sport also came after Riyadh Season agreed to become an official partner of snooker’s most prestigious tournament, the World Billiards Championship.
O’Sullivan (above) has won a record 23 Triple Crown titles and is the current world number one.
He is widely recognized as one of the most talented and successful players in the history of billiards.
‘I’m quite programmed. No matter what the conditions are, I still find a way to get in and play, but it shouldn’t be like that.
“It’s never bothered me or affected me, but if I had the choice, I would choose to play somewhere where they take care of you a little more.” Somewhere they pamper you a little more. All the players are spoiled. Why not.’
Saudi Arabia hosted its first WST event last month: the Riyadh Season World Masters. O’Sullivan was the star attraction, winning the inaugural event by beating Luca Brecel 5-2 in the final.
The tournament also introduced a new and innovative concept, introducing a number 23 ball, called Riyadh’s ball of the season, in a frame. The ball was worth 20 points, which meant there was the possibility of a break maximum of 167, rather than the traditional maximum of 147.
The first player to pocket the ball would win around £400,000. However, no one managed to claim the prize. Therefore, His Excellency Turki Alalshikh decided to increase the incentive.
His Excellency announced that next year’s Ballon d’Or prize at the Riyadh Season World Masters had been doubled to $1 million (£800,000). Provide a life-changing amount of money to players.
Asked what he thought of the initial response to Riyadh’s seasonal ball ahead of last month’s event, O’Sullivan said: “I don’t like it when people are quick to judge.” I’m a pretty honest person and I think people know that. I will say what I think is right.
“I think once you start messing with the rules of the game, you start causing a problem. I don’t even know what the rules are, so if I’m thinking I don’t know what’s going on, that’s bad.
‘I’m also a bit of a purist at heart, but I understand that things need to evolve and change. You have to keep up with the times. So getting that balance right is a mixed bag.
“I don’t think you can start altering the rules of the game and that’s what I liked about Saudi Arabia. They said we’re not going to do that, but what we’re going to do is add a ball. It doesn’t affect the game.
The 48-year-old star has won the World Snooker Championship a total of seven times.
O’Sullivan praised Turki Alalshikh for “giving opportunities to those who might be missing out among the best players” and insisted there was scope to develop world champions in Saudi Arabia.
“If someone is good enough to make a 167 and get it, they will have a huge advantage.” So nothing really changes with the game, except that there is an extra ball that could change the life of one of these players. I like that. It’s good. I was okay with that. I liked it, yes.’
O’Sullivan said he was focused on winning the tournament last time, but admitted he could “put all his eggs in one basket” and concentrate on Riyadh’s season next time.
O’Sullivan told Mail Sport: “The first time I met His Excellency was in Saudi Arabia. “There was a big deal with the Ballon d’Or but my main priority was winning the tournament.
“Then when I realized how passionate he was about the Ballon d’Or, I saw that he was a little disappointed that no one got it and he couldn’t give away the big prize. So he went and doubled it.
“So next year I thought maybe I would go there and try to put all my eggs in one basket and give it a try. He has been fantastic for all sports in Saudi Arabia and for snooker, so I thought I should give it to him for the sake of his Excellency.
O’Sullivan praised HE Alalshikh for “providing opportunities to those who might be missing out among the best players” and insisted there was scope to develop world champions in Saudi Arabia.
Speaking about His Excellency’s involvement in snooker, O’Sullivan said: “He obviously loves the sport and I think that’s what it’s all about.”
‘You want someone who doesn’t just like big names. You want someone who loves the sport and can see the characters.
‘His Excellency is committed to providing opportunities to those who might be lost among the best players.
“He’s the one who says, I actually like him quite a bit, I can bring him to play, etc. I think it’s good that someone shows that level of interest in the sport.”
O’Sullivan, who was awarded a Riyadh-based snooker academy in his name after winning the March event, claims Saudi Arabia could be responsible for producing the sport’s future stars.
He says the UK has fallen far behind China in terms of the academic system, but believes the Saudis have what it takes to foster talent if they agree to a “20-year plan”.
O’Sullivan said: ‘The next generation is paramount. I think the UK is lagging behind on that front, which is a shame because we look at China with the academies they have. In some ways it’s like a Harvard billiards college.
“You see a lot of great, talented players through the set-up. There are so many photos of me with six-year-olds and they come up to me 15 years later after winning the UK championship and show me photos of us together when we were six years. I’m thinking wow.
‘There are many of them. I’ve had a photo with each of them, so it’s clear they have been interested in the sport for a long time. Since they were very young. That’s why you see so many great Chinese players emerging.
“I think that with Saudi Arabia we have to do the same. That’s what I’ll be telling you. If you’re really serious about creating a generation of great players, it’s a 20-year plan.
‘The first 10 years we could be one or two years away, but later you will notice. It’s a bit like Ding Junhui, they watch him do it and it creates a bit of belief that they can do it. They start to think, why can’t it be me?
‘I quite enjoy that challenge because I believe it can be achieved, but it is a commitment. It is a commitment of all those who go towards it. “It’s definitely something that will be worth it in the long run.”
