Respect to Ronnie
by Alex Trickett - BBC Sport 22 January 2007
Much is written about the negative side of Ronnie O'Sullivan - how he quits (mentally or physically) during some tough matches, how he fails to talk to the press and how he lacks respect for the game that made him a star.
But "The Rocket" deserves credit for his impeccable display during the Masters final against Ding Junhui.
Sure, he played brilliantly, notching four centuries and a couple of 90-plus breaks in a 10-3 victory.
But what impressed me more was the way that O'Sullivan conducted himself in the bear pit, which was Wembley Arena.
Over the years, Wembley crowds have always rallied behind their favourite sons - Alex Higgins, Jimmy White, Paul Hunter and O'Sullivan. And, while generating a superb atmosphere, their partisan treatment has been known to unhinge opposing players.
Ding, 19, was well and truly rattled by comments from the crowd (as well as by O'Sullivan's sparkling play) and almost threw in the towel.
But O'Sullivan (who himself walked out against Stephen Hendry in December) showed empathy and understanding when he put his arm around Ding and led him towards the dressing rooms to re-group.
When the players re-emerged for the final frame of the match, O'Sullivan took it upon himself to try to control the few unruly elements of the boisterous Arena.
And, after wrapping up his win, Ronnie went straight to tearful Ding, gave him a hug and presumably told the great Chinese talent not to take his first experience of a Wembley final to heart.
He then told Steve Davis in his post-match interview that Ding would be a multiple world champion and found time to give a mention to the late Paul Hunter, prompting big cheers from the Arena.
Make no mistake, Ronnie's display on the green baize was masterful. But on Sunday, so too was his display away from it.
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O'SULLIVAN PRAISES 'PRODIGY' DING
21 Jan 2007 23:58:00
Ronnie O'Sullivan paid tribute to beaten opponent Ding Junhui despite the Rocket's emphatic victory in the SAGA Insurance Masters final.
The Chigwell champ collected his third Wembley title with a magnificent display of break-building to beat his Chinese opponent 10-3.
"I’m so happy that snooker has found a prodigy," said O'Sullivan of the player who had beaten him in the Northern Ireland Trophy final at the start of the season.
"I looked the word up in the dictionary the other day. It said someone of great talent and magic ability – I thought Ding.
"If he carries on improving and gets a few more bits to his game he will be a multiple World Champion."
O'Sullivan spoke modestly about his performance which brought four century breaks and six more over 50.
"The balls were going in the holes but I wasn’t in full control," he said. "I was having to hit the ball a little bit harder and wasn’t able to create the angles to make this game feel as easy as I possibly can.
"I’m not knocking the way I played, the breaks speak for themselves, but I felt I had to try and really put effort into that.
"If I had been playing someone more methodical, a little bit slower I couldn't have made a 12 today. Ding played a part in helping me to play well.
"When we played in Northern Ireland it was the same, he beat me there because we both play a similar sort of game.
"I’ve seen Stephen Hendry at this peak, I don’t think he’s as good as Stephen yet because he was the greatest player I have ever seen or played.
"John Higgins has put in performances, fantastic performances against me but that kid is up there. Tennis has Federer, golf has Tiger Woods, Ding could do the same to snooker."
As for Ding's offer of a handshake when it got to 9-3, O'Sullivan added: "He thought it was the best of 17, I can’t argue with that because I’ve been in a state like that before when John Higgins beat me 8-0 in a session at the world’s.
"I didn’t know if the game was over, what day it was, he just hit me with a barrage of breaks. Your mind just goes and you think it’s game over.
"I said to Ding 'come we’ve got one more frame to play, let’s go and have a cup of tea do what we’ve got to do. It’s not the first time it’s not the last.'"
Ding, disappointed by his display, said: "I played well to start with but not after that. Ronnie played very well."
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