Ronnie O’Sullivan asks referees to keep an eye on slow show in 2012 World Snooker Championship
Former three-time World Snooker Champion and proclaimed as the most naturally talented snooker player from England, Ronnie O’Sullivan is always in the news either for his actions or his unique remarks in the world of snooker.
This time, he is again on the front page as he has taken the referees into the account and has asked them to keep an eye on slow games during the 2012 World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
The Rocket is up against the former World Snooker Champion and the 2012 China Open snooker tournament winner, compatriot Peter Ebdon in the first round of the mega event. O’Sullivan has played against the Chinese event winner a couple of times in his career
and knows his strengths. However, on the other hand, he also knows that Ebdon takes time while executing his shots which is totally the opposite of him.
The Essex Exocet believes in quicker game style and plays furiously while Ebdon, on the other hand, is a bit slow in his game play and thinks a lot before he fires his shot. O’Sullivan does not like this kind of playing style that is why he has asked the
officials to warn the players who take too much time to play a shot. The Wordsley potter thinks slow game bores the spectators and frustrates the opponent as well as kills the thrill of the game.
Speaking to the media, O’Sullivan said, “The referees have the power to warn players over slow play – but they hardly ever do. There have to be limits. I can run a mile in five minutes, and my fastest maximum 147 break was only 20 seconds longer. The referee
and others will be aware that if it gets ridiculously slow, then they can intervene.”
The 36-year-old added, “In that 2005 match he stuck in there – so credit for that, he got a result – but he didn’t play well. Neither of us did. I like to be involved, get some rhythm and am an instinctive player, rather than a methodical one.”
He played against Ebdon in a quarter-final encounter where Ebdon took five minutes to play a 12-point break which really irritated the Englishman and he felt a bit angry. This is why he has asked the referees to put pressure on the slow players.
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