Barry Hearn has come to the defense of Ronnie O’Sullivan following his withdrawal from The Masters tournament, urging other snooker players to elevate their performances in his absence.
O’Sullivan, a legendary eight-time Masters champion, opted out of the prestigious event just before its commencement due to health reasons. While he has skipped several tournaments in the last year, his participation in the London tournament had been anticipated.
Hearn dismissed claims that O’Sullivan is solely driven by money and emphasized that it is now the responsibility of other players to captivate the audience when the 50-year-old maestro is not playing.
Expressing his views on the BBC’s Framed podcast, Hearn stated, “I don’t believe Ronnie is solely motivated by money; that’s unjust towards Ronnie. He operates on his own terms, setting exceptionally high standards. Ronnie is a rare talent, possibly once-in-a-lifetime. While I hope someone surpasses him, at present, he chooses when and if to play, and he has rightfully earned that privilege.”
Acknowledging the disappointment felt by fans when O’Sullivan is absent, Hearn reiterated the need for a successor to emerge from O’Sullivan’s shadow.
He added, “Fans must comprehend this, and the remaining players must realize the duty they hold in filling the void left by the great man. Snooker thrives on a figure like Ronnie O’Sullivan, and ideally, it needs multiple players of his caliber.”
Hearn expressed optimism about potential successors but highlighted the monumental impact O’Sullivan has had on the sport over the years, underscoring the void left when he is not competing. He concluded by expressing his desire for O’Sullivan’s happiness above all else.