February 20th 2024.
Ronnie O'Sullivan is a formidable force to be reckoned with on the snooker table. Even at 48 years old, he continues to dominate his opponents, who struggle not only with his skillful play, but also with the intimidating aura he exudes. Mark Selby, the current world number one, believes that many players lack the belief to handle O'Sullivan's presence.
Despite not always being at the top of his game, O'Sullivan has had an outstanding season, winning the UK Championship, Masters, World Grand Prix, and Shanghai Masters. In fact, he has only lost three out of the 34 matches he has played. However, some of his fellow players, like Neil Robertson, have pointed out that O'Sullivan has been "pretty awful" at times. Selby agrees with this assessment.
According to Selby, O'Sullivan now possesses the same kind of aura that darts legend Phil Taylor had during his prime. This aura, Selby believes, is a result of O'Sullivan's impressive track record and achievements throughout his career. It is similar to how Taylor's opponents would often feel defeated even before stepping on the stage. Selby concedes that not all of the top players fear O'Sullivan and still have the belief that they can beat him.
Selby and O'Sullivan have had one of the greatest rivalries in snooker for the past two decades. Selby has managed to defeat O'Sullivan in the final of all three Triple Crown events, but O'Sullivan has also handed out his fair share of defeats to Selby. The Jester from Leicester believes that the key to handling a match with the greatest player of all time is to maintain a steadfast belief in oneself, despite any previous losses. He advises players not to go into a match thinking they have no chance of winning, as this mindset is detrimental and reduces their chances of success.
Selby may not be having the best season of his career, but he has managed to secure a spot in the Players Championship, an event exclusive to the top 16 players on the one-year ranking list. Therefore, he is doing better than most. When asked if his rivals fear him, Selby humbly states that it's not for him to say. He hopes they do, but acknowledges that many players seem to play well against him, suggesting that he may not have a fear factor. He simply focuses on playing his own game and giving it his all, regardless of the outcome.
If both Selby and O'Sullivan win their first matches in Telford this week, they will face each other in the quarter-finals of the Players Championship. O'Sullivan's first opponent is Zhou Yuelong on Tuesday night, while Selby will face Barry Hawkins on Wednesday afternoon. It's shaping up to be an exciting event, and both players are determined to give it their best shot.
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