Ronnie O'Sullivan 'doesn't have many close friends', according to snooker legend
Stephen Hendry and Ronnie O'Sullivan are the only snooker players to win seven world titles - but the Scotsman has admitted that 'The Rocket' does not have many close friends
Snooker legend Stephen Hendry has given insight into Ronnie O’Sullivan’s life away from the sport - claiming he doesn't have 'many close friends'.
O’Sullivan has been snooker’s star name for decades and is still adding to his record number of ranking titles, winning the World Grand Prix in January for the 41st triumph of his iconic career. The 48-year-old also notably claimed the Masters at the turn of the year, defeating long-time rival Ali Carter in the final.
‘The Rocket’ has won seven world championships, a record he jointly holds with Hendry. O’Sullivan has often toyed with retiring from snooker but would likely want to go one step further than Hendry before stepping away from the sport.
Hendry announced his retirement for the second time earlier this year and has since turned his full attention to his media career. On his Cue Tips YouTube channel, Hendry chatted to Carter and shared a glimpse into his friendship with O’Sullivan.
“He’s not the easiest person. Down the years I’ve known him, sometimes I go months without really speaking to him and other times I spend a lot of time with him,” Hendry said. “I don’t know if it’s deliberate or not but he doesn’t have many close friends, I don’t think. He doesn’t really socialise much with other players.”
O’Sullivan’s supposed aloofness will be little surprise to Carter, who used to regularly practice with the seven-time world champion when he was a teenager. Their relationship seemingly shifted as Carter began to enjoy success and Hendry described the pair’s feud as the “elephant in the room”.
O’Sullivan and Carter have faced off in two World Championship finals but it was in 2018 that their rivalry truly came to a head. O’Sullivan shoulder barged Carter as he was stepping away from the table at The Crucible and the pair were involved in a heated exchange that has lived long in the memory.
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Discussing his feelings towards O’Suillivan, Carter told Hendry : “To be fair, I don’t know too much about him, I say what I see. I hold no malice now really.
“I’m not around him enough for him to feature in my life. We know he’s a great snooker player and all that, but as regards to anything else, I couldn’t tell you.
"I let people make their own minds up. Whatever you say, the staunch Ronnie fans will always slaughter you. I choose to keep my mouth shut.”
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