RONNIE O’Sullivan is one of snooker’s all-time greats – but claims it’s because he’s a good mimic.
The seven-time world champion has won it all in a career spanning over three decades.
O’Sullivan turned professional at the age of just 16 and is widely regarded among the best to ever play.
But the 48-year-old doesn’t put his immense success down to natural talent – insisting he’s simply a great “copier.”
O’Sullivan told The Daily Express: “As a kid, I wanted to be [Steve Davis, or Stephen Hendry].
“They were winners and that’s what I wanted to be. I have always copied people.
“That’s all I have ever done. I’ve never really worked out anything for myself.
“I’ve learned from other people. I’m not this person who is gifted or has invented anything.
“I’ve just copied Davis, copied Hendry, copied Jimmy White, copied John Higgins, copied Judd Trump. I’ll look at what he does, or he does.”
Known as The Rocket for his fast potting, O’Sullivan’s life away from snooker has been as turbulent as some of his whirlwind breaks.
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He has previously indicated his disdain for the sport, but also admits snooker can provide an “escape” from the world.
O’Sullivan continued: “Even today, if I’ve got a problem, I just go and play snooker and forget about it.
“I’m lucky to have a relationship with something that’s enabled me to do that.”
But he added: “I mean, I always say it’s overrated, winning all those world titles and tournaments.
“It was a dream when I was a kid but now it’s not all it’s cracked up to be.
RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has enjoyed an incredible career as snooker's biggest star.
But the Rocket’s turbulent past has led to struggles with mental health, addiction and yo-yo weight battles.
O’Sullivan’s parents ran a chain of sex shops in Essex and his father was jailed for 20 years for murder when he was just 16.
In the Amazon documentary The Edge of Everything, the snooker icon admitted his dad going to prison had a profound effect.
He said: “I didn’t want to blame everything on that situation with my dad, but I was thinking, ‘I’d rather not have the snooker. just a normal family’. Because… It was a dream, but looking back, it was a nightmare.”
Just a year later, Ronnie became the youngest ever UK Champion, seven days before his 18th birthday. Then at 19, in 1994, he became the youngest Masters champion.
But he has already begun to binge on drink and drugs and, when his mum was sent to prison for tax evasion, in 1996, he struggled to cope with looking after his eight–year-old sister alone.
“I get more happiness from other stuff for less effort, so you have to recognise that and accept it.
“That’s probably why I’m scared to let go completely because it’s always been a good friend.”
O’Sullivan is set to return at the Northern Ireland Open which begins in Belfast on Sunday.
