Ronnie tips worlds switch to China
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E-mail Shanghai Daily, May 9, 2012
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Ronnie O'Sullivan celebrates his victory with his son Ronnie at the Crucible Theatre. |
World snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan believes China is destined to host the sports showcase event in the future.
O'Sullivan won his fourth world title at the Crucible in Sheffield, England, on Monday when he beat fellow-Briton Ali Carter 18-11 in the final.
"If China want it, they can have it," O'Suillivan said. "They're the most powerful country in the world. One day this tournament will be in China, have no doubts about that.
"I love going to China and the Chinese people. I love the food and I love the culture."
Sheffield has held the world championship tournament since 1977. O'Sullivan's comments are in contrast to the views expressed by World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn.
At the start of the tournament, he vowed to keep it at the Crucible "until the day I die".
O'Sullivan, meanwhile, called on the game's governing body, World Snooker, to treat players fairly, adding that he could quit due to the pressure to compete in an increasing number of tournaments across the globe.
"I'm quite happy to move on, if I have to, because there's a lot out there for me to do," O'Sullivan told reporters.
"I know there's still a bit more in the tank for me in snooker but certain people need to start doing the right thing.
"It's up to the governing body to treat the players right and say that they don't expect the players to travel to 28 tournaments a year. I'm prepared to work as hard as anyone but I just want to be treated fairly and I think the top players need to be treated fairly. If players don't play in the minor events, you know they're going to drop out of the top 16 and you know they're going to have to qualify for tournaments. I think there's a better way of doing it. I don't like feeling that you're being blackmailed or forced to play in certain events. I'm not going to hang around for another two years to wait until things become what I believe to be fair.
O'Sullivan said the ruling body had a chance to sort the situation out.
"I've made plans but I'm not making any knee-jerk reactions. I'm having four, five or six months off and then I'll assess the situation," he said.
"I've had a long time to think about everything I've done. I'm not saying I have retired but what I am saying is that my family has become the most important thing in my life."
Resuming with a 15-10 lead, O'Sullivan won three of the opening four frames in the final session to clinch victory.
Carter, who also lost to O'Sullivan in the final four years ago, said: "I didn't feel like I played well and right from the word go I was under pressure. I didn't get any form when I needed it and the better man won."
