Ronnie O’Sullivan supports Liam Davies ahead of English Open
Ronnie O’Sullivan may have pulled out of the English Open at Brentwood Leisure Centre, but the snooker legend still made his presence felt at the tournament in a rather lovely way, reports BritPanorama.
The Rocket was scheduled to face young Welsh player Liam Davies in the first round, and Davies received a walkover when O’Sullivan decided not to compete. However, O’Sullivan did not simply disappear; he had been privately messaging the youngster, sharing tips and guidance ahead of the event.
This gesture has highlighted O’Sullivan’s continued passion for the sport, even as he scales back his own schedule. Davies spoke to TNT Sports about their exchanges, stating, “We’ve actually been having a few conversations, me and Ronnie. He’s been texting me, and giving me a few bits of advice, so I’m very grateful for that.” He added that while he appreciates the walkover, he would have relished the chance to compete against O’Sullivan: “I’m happy with the prize points, but it would have been nice to play Ronnie.”
Davies later proved the advice useful by knocking out reigning world champion Wu Yize at the Essex venue — a remarkable feat for someone who had just been competing in Q School a mere couple of months prior. Reflecting on his journey, the 20-year-old noted, “Very excited, it’s just a couple of months ago I was playing in Q School, and now I’m playing on stages like this, so just take every experience as it comes.”
While Davies is at the start of his career, O’Sullivan is contemplating the final chapter of his extraordinary journey in snooker. The 50-year-old has expressed his intent to pursue two more attempts at the World Championship before making significant decisions about his future. “I’d love to win another World Championship. I’ve got two attempts at it,” he remarked. He confirmed that he would evaluate his options in 2028, keeping the door slightly ajar for possibilities if the results were favourable.
O’Sullivan’s ranking has recently slipped to 14th in the world, necessitating some adjustments in his approach to competitions. He withdrew from the International Championship after being forced to play qualifiers for the first time, a situation he clearly intends to avoid in the future. “I’m definitely not going to be playing qualifiers put it that way,” he stated firmly.
At this stage in his career, the Rocket has reduced his tournament commitments over the past year, and there is currently no information about his next competitive appearance. Yet, as evidenced by his supportive messages to Davies, it’s clear that O’Sullivan’s enthusiasm for the sport remains undiminished.
In a sport where legacies are deeply entwined, O’Sullivan’s wisdom continues to shine through, reminding both newcomers and veterans alike of the enduring spirit of snooker.
