Tragic occurrence: One of the best snooker players received a six-month ban after it was thought that they were one among…
After giving seven-time world snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan some crucial advise, Liverpool veteran Graeme Souness has claimed responsibility for helping O’Sullivan achieve his best. After taking first place in two major competitions this month, 48-year-old “The Rocket” appears to be back to his best.
O’Sullivan won his ninth Masters championship to start the year, then on Sunday, he defeated Judd Trump in a thrilling comeback to win the World Grand Prix. He attributes his longevity in the sport to eating well and exercising frequently, two things Souness urged him to focus on when they first met in Las Vegas two decades ago.
“I met him in Vegas about 20 years ago, and he was with a bunch of guys who were obviously there to take in the sights and have as much fun as they could,” the man said to talkSPORT.
“When I returned home after going out to supper with my wife, the guys had just left. What you need to do is get yourself extremely fit,’ I said Ronnie as we relaxed and had a beer.
“If you get yourself fit, you’ll be ahead of the game when things get tough. The sport you play requires you to stand on your legs for hours on end. If you get physically tired, you lose your concentration.” In fact, he acknowledged me in the book he published shortly afterward.
During his 20s O’Sullivan didn’t take his health as seriously as he does right now. The 48-year-old is very open about his mental health struggles and battled with drink and drugs to help him cope with it.
