‘They think they’re better than they are,’ rants Ronnie O’Sullivan in blast at snooker’s new generation
SNOOKER legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has criticised the up-and-coming generation of young players for their lack of work ethic.
O’Sullivan is a member of snooker’s famous ‘Class of 92’ alongside John Higgins and Mark Williams.
The trio turned professional during the 1992-93 season and went on to dominate the sport for years.
According to the Rocket himself, the main attribute that set them apart from their rivals was their work ethic.
O’Sullivan said: “I think about when we were juniors, there was such a good Pro-Am circuit.
“I remember I’d travel to Wales, Sheffield, Leicester, and play against people like Ken Doherty, Peter Ebdon and Anthony Hamilton.
“I would have only been 11 or 12 at the time. We were kids, me and Mark. Higgins never ventured out of Scotland – he appeared when he was around 14. I think that was the first we’d heard of John Higgins.
“But me and Mark were always playing in Pro-Ams and junior events, so I think we had a really good schooling
“There were no phones, there was no Instagram. There was a different work ethic.
“We were much more seasoned, more purist. The way we came into it, you were maybe a lot more focused.”
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O’Sullivan went on to claim that many up-and-coming snooker players lack the same work ethic which has led to them thinking they are better than they actually are.
He continued: “We had that professionalism about us that maybe the newer generation [don’t have].
“Maybe the newer generation have had it too easy. When we came through the amateur circuit you had to earn your way through it.
“Now a lot of players turn pro, they think they’re good, but really they’re not.
“We had to come through the hard way – the juniors, the amateurs, then professionals and work our way up through it.
“So have a lot of other players, but we were in a golden era for snooker I suppose.”
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.