Ronnie O'Sullivan's father has criticised Barry Hearn on social media again as his son prepares to take on Alfred Burden tonight.
The Rocket is set to take part in a World Open qualifying match just days after winning the World Grand Prix.
O'Sullivan Snr has already criticised Hearn, saying last week: "Arrived in Leicester. I managed to get a few hours kip I’m absolutely worn out and I’m not playing.
"And straight after this one my son has to travel to Barnsley round the back of a working man’s club to qualify for the tournament in China.
China want to know who’s coming over to play so they can promote the tournament and get players logos to wear promoting there companies. Barbaric system created by WST and the Gestapo that are killing the players
— Ronnie O’Sullivan Snr (@ronnieo1954) January 23, 2024
"I’ve lost all respect for baz hernia.
"Once you lose respect for someone, there’s no return. "Treated my son atrociously. Mental health is a very important issue because Ronnie has been there.
"I hope that the WST support any snooker players after this gruelling regime they are being put through.
"On your head bazzer."
And he's now taken aim at Hearn again in a series of posts on X, labelling the promoter's treatment of snooker stars as 'barbaric'.
"Getting ready for Barnsley tomorrow moped gassed up and ready to go for a qualifying match for China," he said.
"Lovely jubbly thanks Bazzer at WST.
"Win a big tournament and given 24 hours to recover is barbaric.
"Then with no sleep or rest or preparation travel to Barnsley for one game to qualify for the tournament in China. It’s not good at all.
"Top 16 should automatically go to China. No rewards.
"Because baz earner loves good or bad publicity as it’s all the same to him.
"Especially when a top seed goes out because of fatigue.
"Every pro in any sport needs time to recover. Baz earner and the hampster wheel.
"China want to know who’s coming over to play so they can promote the tournament and get players logos to wear promoting there companies.
"Barbaric system created by WST and the Gestapo that are killing the players."
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Ronnie O'Sullivan's father has criticised Barry Hearn over snooker schedule as his son prepares to play again
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O'Sullivan, meanwhile, goes into the clash with Burden on a high.
After winning the World Grand Prix on Sunday, he said an air fryer and smoothie maker was behind his victory over Judd Trump.
"I enjoyed that, I really did, I enjoyed the game," he told ITV.
"Start of the week I was feeling a bit rough, then I brought myself an air fryer and a smoothie maker.
"I started to feel a bit better and...I don't like eating junk food, it sort of puts me in a funny place.
Ronnie O'Sullivan goes into Alfred Burden showdown having recently won the Masters and World Grand Prix
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"So I started to feel better as the week went on, I played some of my best snooker last night against Ding.
"That gave me some confidence coming into today, I knew I'd have to play well to at least do something well against Judd.
"I enjoyed the match. I thought it might be a 10-1 job.
"I managed to win a few frames this afternoon. 5-3 gave me a bit of optimism, I just came out and thought 'try and enjoy the battle'.
"Because you have to enjoy a battle against Judd, he's a warrior.
"For me he's the favourite for the World Championships this year."
