Ronnie O'Sullivan insists he's not a 'liar' and fires warning to rivals after World Snooker Championship win

Ronnie O'Sullivan insists he's not a 'liar' and fires warning to rivals after World Snooker Championship win

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Jack Otway

By Jack Otway


Published: 25/04/2024

- 14:12

Updated: 25/04/2024

- 14:30

The Rocket was outstanding as he cruised to victory in Sheffield

Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired a warning to his rivals after cruising to victory over Jackson Page at the World Snooker Championship on Thursday.

The Rocket had gone into the session leading 8-1 from Wednesday's action.


And O'Sullivan comfortably closed out the match, securing a 10-1 victory, to get his bid for an eighth World Championship title off to a flyer.

Speaking after the clash, the 48-year-old praised Page and admitted the 22-year-old had represented a tough test.

Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan was outstanding as he beat Jackson Page in their World Snooker Championship clash

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And O'Sullivan also warned his rivals he was feeling 'as good on the practice tables in the last couple of weeks as I have in the last six to seven years' as he seeks more glory, having won the title seven times before.

"I played and cued well which was good. Jackson is a really good player," he told the BBC.

"I knew I had to be on my game, one of the hardest first-round draws I could have got but I was pleased with my performance.

"I just play. The harder the test the more I see it as a challenge.

"I have trained hard all my life, I am mentally tough and ready to play whenever.

"I played terrible for two years but I have won and I know how to win. That is something I am blessed with.

"I haven't really cued smoothly but I have started working with Nic Barrow a coach who knows my game inside out and I decided I can't coach myself anymore and I have felt as good on the practice tables in the last couple of weeks as I have in the last six to seven years."

O'Sullivan then insisted he wasn't a 'liar' when he says he's not playing well, despite his talent.

He added: "I don't lie when I say I am not playing well.

"A lot of people think I am but I am not a liar. I saw what I feel.

"I know the ability is there it is just finding the right formula sometimes.

"I have already broken the rules for snooker, I am still going at 48, 49 and I am seeing what is possible now. What is possible in this game and how long can you keep going for?

"Can I win a World Championship at 50, who knows? I am probably the only player able to do that but let's see, let's have an experiment.

"To do what I have done in this season, I have done over a whole career. I have been doing it for 30 years. I have had the greatest career of any snooker player.

"How many people can say they have been the best or most successful in their job ever?

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Ronnie O'Sullivan

Ronnie O'Sullivan has insisted he's not a 'liar' following his World Snooker Championship win over Jackson Page

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"I have to really give myself a pat on the back because I don't, I am hard on myself.

"Nobody has achieved what i have achieved on a table statistically.

"What is possible? I don't know.

"Statistically probably this would be [my best season] but playing wise, definitely not."

Stephen Hendry, meanwhile, feels O'Sullivan could be too strong for the rest at the World Snooker Championship.

Jackson Page

Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Jackson Page 10-1 in their World Snooker Championship clash

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"Ronnie always beats who he's supposed to beat when he's supposed to beat them," he said.

"He gets to the winning line with not one hesitation.

"It's something you can't teach, you either have that or you don't.

"I think this could be a procession, this world championship. It looks like he's on it."

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