NEIL ROBERTSON claims Ronnie O’Sullivan’s position as “Britain’s greatest ever sportsman” was cemented by his moment of desert magic this summer.
The Australian, 43, was laughing all the way to the bank when he beat The Rocket 10-9 in the final of the Saudi Arabia Snooker Masters to pocket the record £500,000 first prize.
Getty – ContributorNeil Robertson claims Ronnie O’Sullivan is ‘Britain’s greatest sportsman’[/caption]
That final in Jeddah in August went to a 19th-frame decider and Robertson managed to secure one of the biggest titles of his career at the expense of his snooker “inspiration”.
The night before, seven-time world champion O’Sullivan, 49, hit TWO 147 breaks in his 6-3 semi-final win over Chris Wakelin – only the second time that feat had happened in professional sport.
Even for someone who has broken so many records and lifted more trophies than anyone else, that performance in Saudi was one of his most memorable on a snooker table.
Both players are out in Xi’an this week for the third Chinese tournament of the season and before flying, the Thunder from Down Under spoke of his enormous admiration for the game’s best cueist.
Particularly how he has managed to compete at the highest level despite well-documented battles with drink, drugs, depression and anxiety.
Robertson told SunSport: “Ronnie’s back to his best now.
“That match (against Wakelin), if that doesn’t cement him as Britain’s greatest ever sportsman, I don’t know what will.
“And to do it at the speed he was doing it as well.
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“We’ve never seen anything like it in the game – and we’ll never have anything like it in the game.
“You have to remember as well with Ronnie, and I know through experience with my wife who’s struggled with mental health issues in the past, and how tough that still is for her today.
“Don’t forget he’s struggled with his anxiety – so for him to be able to perform like that, you know it’s just remarkable.
“I can’t think of any other athlete who’s been able to achieve what he has in his sport while dealing with all these other issues.
“While also being the best to watch at the sport and with all the fans wanting him to win. Look, the guy’s an absolute champion.
“We get along really well. He calls me pretty frequently. He wants to see me win more world titles and tournaments. He wants me to do well.”
World No.3 Robertson beat Irishman Leone Crowley in the first round of the Xi’an Grand Prix on Tuesday before defeating India’s Ishpreet Chanda.
Meanwhile, O’Sullivan has already defeated Ukrainian potter Iulian Boiko and China’s Yao Pencheng in the tournament.
Robertson and O’Sullivan, the world No.4, would meet in the quarter-finals if they both made it that far at the Qujiang Sports Complex.
The top prize in Xi’an is £177,000 and world No.2 Kyren Wilson is the defending champion.
Inside Ronnie’s colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O’Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.
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