Ronnie O'Sullivan returns to Beijing for the China Open a year after his controversial exit to Marco Fu at last season's staging of the tournament.
O'Sullivan hit the headlines for his lewd comments and behaviour at his post match press conference following a first round defeat to Marco Fu.
In an interview with the Daily Express, O'Sullivan admitted his conduct was likely to attract criticism but asked fans to accept him as he is.
“You could say what I did in China was bad for the game and people did at the time," he said.
“But I’m just not the sort of person who will always do and say all the right things .
“People just need to accept me for who I am and I think they do over there. I apologised, got a rap over the knuckles and I’m sure that I will get more raps.”
Perhaps the best way to avoid 'more raps' is to behave himself in China this year.
no publicity is bad publicity just isnt true when it came to what he said and who he said it "toward" last year IMHO
ReplyDeletei wonder what the reaction would have been had a Davis, a Hendry or a J Higgins been if theyd said similar. Of course they wouldnt do such a thing, but if....
Anyway, heres hoping he and all the players say the correct things, or at least dont say any "stupid" things this time around.
China is a great tournament and their folk are great too.
Heres hoping the tournament this year will be remembered solely for the snooker.
Any chances for sponsorship of Worlds?
ReplyDeleteDave do you think the China Open is too close to the Worlds?
ReplyDeleteWorld snooker seems to have found title sponsors for the china open, which I found hugely important for the event and snooker in general. Your thoughts on this Dave? Let's hope that this also boosts the negotiations with potential world championship sponsors!
ReplyDeleteWe all have bad days, I could accept Ronnie having (another) one that day.
ReplyDeleteBut then you see Ronnie's fans calling him a genius for such behaviour (quick youtube search and you'll find the most pathethic praises for it), which I find ridiculous.
I think he did behave perfectly in China this year already in Shanghai. He could hardly do more there except winning the final.
ReplyDeletePeople will forget all about what RoS has said. A year is a long time in snooker - especially if you've been watching a Terry Griffiths v Peter Ebdon match.
ReplyDeleteAs an earlier post said, this tournament is too close to Sheffield and for not much money. Little wonder that O'Sullivan does not like to go to this event, and Parrott has had to claim injury - I wonder if he will recover in time for Aintree next Saturday. Seriously though, it is asking a lot to travel halfway round the world for next to nothing if you get knocked out in the first round - I'm all for overseas events but perhaps this one needs a different spot in the calendar
ReplyDeleteHow long before the World Championships move to China ?
ReplyDeleteWatch this space.
Just realised the censorship button has been pressed again.
ReplyDeleteThanks, but no thanks.
"Joao said...
ReplyDeleteWe all have bad days, I could accept Ronnie having (another) one that day.
But then you see Ronnie's fans calling him a genius for such behaviour (quick youtube search and you'll find the most pathethic praises for it), which I find ridiculous."
I hear that, the trick with youtube is never to scroll down unless you want to see The Sun readership mass commenting.
Spot on anon 10:41
ReplyDeleteIt may be a little too close to the Crucible. As I said for Betfair the qualifiers have been held, the draw has been made and people are - quite understandably - lokking forward to Sheffield.
ReplyDeleteHowever, the folks in Beijing don't care about all of that. They're looking forward to the China Open.
The problem is that there has been a month/month and a half since the Welsh Open, then the china open is staged. Little over a week after the world is staged.
ReplyDeleteThe tournaments could not be as close together, and they are in differnt continents.
Terrible planning if u ask me.
I remember many years ago when the last tournament before Crucible was Scotlish Open, some players described it as "Sharp up for the Crucible". Now, anyone will say China Open is helpful for "sharp up for the Crucible"?
ReplyDeleteHis comments after the match detracted somewhat from his incredible performance against Fu. O'Sullivan wasn't exactly playing match snooker to put it blunt, but by god it was entertaining.
ReplyDeleteHere here anon 7:44 it was very entertaining.
ReplyDeletewell, one things for sure, whoever wins the china open wont win the worlds.
ReplyDeletei dont find that kind of thing entertaining. each to their own. i like watching chimps at the zoo. they entertain me.
ReplyDeleteMonique, you may be correct on that one, but its as relevant as saying he behaved at any other tournament. This particular blog is about the china open and that is the event he said it at, hence the comment about it again. :)
Anon 8:09 you like watching chimp's at the zoo each to there own as you say i suppose you watch in the night garden as well
ReplyDeleteyou suppose wrong. no need to get personal !
ReplyDeleteSo Ronnie cocked up NO PUN INTENDED lol in China 12 month's ago the match was entertaining, can't you Ronnie hater's get over it now
ReplyDeletei never said the match wasnt entertaining.
ReplyDeleteit was the disgusting press conference i didnt enjoy
At last we agree on something cheers
ReplyDeleteBack on topic why do you think that anon 8:06?
ReplyDeleteMy moneys on either Murphy, Maguire, Carter or Selby.
ReplyDeleteRonnie will not win, he is turning up to fulfill his sponsership deal play first round and back home ready to win one of the 4 tournament he actually cares about winning.
I think Judd Trump has as good a chance as anyone of winning.
ReplyDeleteI have noticed one or two very anti-Trump posts on here recently but the kid is very good and starting to fulfill the early years hype.
i think there are at least 10 players who have a slightly better chance than him.
ReplyDeletesaying that i think he will be top 4 within 5 years as i reckon he is that good, but quite clearly IMHO there are a few players playing as well or better than him in the last years form and so id give them the nod over judd at present
Disappointing reaction from Trump after losing to the wildcard.
ReplyDeleteLosing is always tough but in sport its always refreshing to see a generous handshake and perhaps a smile.
No such gesture forthcoming from the Bristolian this morning.
A smile???
ReplyDeleteYou can count the number of players who smile after losing on one hand, or even fewer
exactly
ReplyDeletehe reacted the way 99% of plaers would 99% of the time in similar circumstances
Ok perhaps the smile was asking too much.
ReplyDeleteHowever, if anyone thought the way he barely flicked his hand out towards his opponent was sporting then perhaps I am seeing things differently to you guys.
It hurts to lose but always seems gracious when defeat is taken like a man.
i still disagree
ReplyDeletehe shook hands as it customary
he looked very dissapointed. as
much dissapointed in his own play as the bad result for him.
i think your looking for a fault that isnt there IMHO
It's very simple... you either love or hate Ronnie, if you love him you will find that press conference cool and amusing, if you hate him you'll say that he has no maners and that he's a jerk, alcoholic, stoner or whatever! so people... pick one side and let's get over it and enjoy china open! greetings from Croatia :-)
ReplyDeleteyoure absolutely wrong. loads of his "well known" fans on sites like the bbc, TSF and his own website have said it was out of order and thats coming from people who follow him to events around the world, so err, that makes you completely wrong.
ReplyDeleteyeah...sure...you're right... you're the man... you're so cool, you know every fan of ronnie so you can tell that sort of stuff! can i be your friend please??? :-) LOL LOL LOL
ReplyDeletei love it when someone just pretends someone else has typed something they havent. its even better when they laugh at their own jokes.
ReplyDelete