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A genius of the game, O’Sullivan is never far from controversy despite describing himself as “semi-retired”. He has ruffled the feathers of young pros and veterans of the sport alike after claiming he “would have to lose an arm and a leg to fall outside the top 50”. Despite this, there is an insatiable appetite from fans for him to continue, even after him saying he “regrets ever playing the sport” adding “I’d probably have been happier doing something outside with an adrenalin buzz”.
Having won five world titles, seven UK Championships and seven Masters crowns, the Rocket has cemented his place in snooker royalty – but his achievements have attracted intense public scrutiny.
O’Sullivan said: “I’ve had that since the age of 10 or 11, and that expectation level is in many ways like Prince William groomed to be king.
“If you said to me ‘do you want Prince William’s role?’ I wouldn’t know where to begin, but he’s had it since a child and it just becomes natural, I suppose.
“For me, that’s the same metaphor for snooker – as a youngster, I learned to deal with pressure and playing under pressure at junior, amateur, professional ranks.”
But asked if he saw himself more like Prince Harry, who recently moved to Los Angeles with his wife Meghan Markle after stepping back from the Royal Family, O’Sullivan seemed to enjoy the comparison.
He told Eurosport earlier this month: “He’s [Harry] done a runner!
“I don’t know, it’s strange – he’s done a runner from it and doesn’t want the spotlight, and I’ve been trying to do that all my life.
“I’ve tried to do it as well as I can and that’s why you don’t see me at the venue much, and I try to keep as much privacy as I can.
“Obviously whatever I say they’re always trying to get a comment or a quote and it’s a bit of a headline, and even when other players are interviewed, it’s always about me.
“‘What do you think of what Ronnie said?’ or ‘what do you think of what Ronnie does?’ so I can’t really win either way, unless I just have a complete personality overall change.”
But despite this, O’Sullivan is relaxed as he bids to win a sixth World Championship.
He added: “I don’t see it as ‘oh, there’s this pressure there’ – it’s just something you learn to live with, I suppose, and not even live with, but handle that situation.
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“It’s still the Crucible and still the World Championships – everybody wants to win the World Championships.
“But for me, I’ve won it five times and it’s great to have won it five times but there’s a lot less pressure on me because I’ve already done it.”
O’Sullivan is currently up five frames to three against Mark Selby in the semi-finals.
He is back in action this afternoon and Friday, before the final on Saturday.
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