Ronnie O'Sullivan has expressed his wish that snooker allowed players to pick and choose their opponents, much like in boxing, as he prepares to face long-time rival John Higgins in the second round of the World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield.
O'Sullivan on Boxing Comparisons
O'Sullivan, who is aiming for a record eighth world title, acknowledged that his career has been defined by facing the best players from different generations. He contrasted this with boxing, where some fighters are given easier paths to titles. "I wish I was a footballer, or playing in the NFL, where you can ask the boss if you could have a month off. Or, 'please don't let me play against him because I don't like playing against him'," O'Sullivan admitted. "But my whole career has been like, you've got to be here this time and play that person. And I've had to play all the best players of different generations. Unlike some of these fighters who get hand-picked opponents, I've had to play the field."
He added that he fell out of love with boxing because of the disparity in paths to success. "I respect boxers who do the hard path, because you think, at least you're fighting the best out there. And I think my career has been like that."
History with Higgins
The two 50-year-olds have faced each other 79 times in professional matches, including the 2001 world final, with O'Sullivan winning 41 of those encounters. Their first meeting was at the 1994 Dubai Classic, where O'Sullivan defeated the Scot 5-1. O'Sullivan recalled their first ever match at the Pontins Autumn Open, when Higgins was just 14. "I'd never heard of John until that tournament, but you knew then it was an unbelievable player," O'Sullivan said.
Despite the storied rivalry, O'Sullivan downplayed any special anticipation for their upcoming best-of-25 frame encounter. "I don't really get turned on by that (facing Higgins again), to be honest with you. I just play the game. There isn't an opponent out there that I can't wait to go and play. That doesn't float my boat. I love the game whoever's sitting in the chair."
