November 27th 2024.
Snooker superstar Ronnie O'Sullivan has some advice for his competitors at the UK Championship - stop complaining about the conditions and learn to embrace them. Despite several players struggling to find their rhythm on the tables in York, O'Sullivan has little sympathy and believes that hitting the ball well is the key to success.
While some players have blamed the unpredictable bounces and tricky white ball control on the heavy tables, O'Sullivan, who lost in the opening round to Barry Hawkins, suggests that it is all part of the game and the conditions are the same for everyone. He points out that the tables usually play well when they are refitted and urges his rivals to focus on their own performance rather than the conditions.
The Rocket, as he is commonly known, also shares his personal preference for when the tables don't play as well. He believes that it separates the skilled players from the rest, as it requires more strategic thinking and precise shots. In his opinion, when the tables are too perfect, anyone can take the balls and there is no real skill involved.
O'Sullivan's view is supported by his recent opponent Judd Trump, who won his match against Neil Robertson despite criticizing the table conditions. Robertson also voiced his frustration, claiming that the table was unplayable and made both players look silly. Even the experienced Mark Williams struggled to come to terms with the way the table was playing, admitting that he couldn't have made any breaks even if he had all night.
Despite the players' complaints, the World Snooker Tour (WST) maintains that they always strive to provide the best possible conditions and welcome feedback from players. They also note that the recent weather may have had a negative impact on the tables due to high humidity and rainfall.
Overall, O'Sullivan's message is clear - it's not about the conditions, it's about how well you adapt to them. Instead of blaming external factors, players should focus on their own game and use their snooker brain to overcome any challenges. After all, as O'Sullivan points out, the conditions are the same for both players and it's about who can adapt and perform under any circumstances.
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