John Parrott has spoken out about Ronnie O'Sullivan's remarkable dedication, revealing that the seven-time world champion practised all night after his victory over He Guoqiang at the World Snooker Championship. The 50-year-old snooker legend showcased his commitment to winning this year's tournament by spending hours at the practice table at the Crucible, even as BBC cameras captured the scene.
O'Sullivan's Late-Night Practice Session
Following his comfortable 10-2 win over He Guoqiang last Wednesday, O'Sullivan headed straight to the practice room, remaining there until late in the evening. BBC presenter Seema Jaswal acknowledged his presence behind her during the broadcast, highlighting the player's focus. John Parrott, who was on commentary, revealed that he witnessed O'Sullivan practising from 6:30 pm until 11:00 pm. "We were in at 6.30pm for the 7 o’clock show and when we left at 11 o’clock he was just putting his cue in the case in the practice room. Ronnie was on the table all night. So he’s putting the hours and the graft in. Along with the talent, it’s a pretty dangerous combination," Parrott said.
Pundits React to O'Sullivan's Form
Steve Davis also commented on O'Sullivan's recent form, noting that his focus in practice has been evident. "He showed signs when he got to the final of the World Open about a month ago and then by all accounts he’s been practising very hard, and publicly saying that he wants to win it, which is something Ronnie’s never done in his career. He’s turned up here and he looks bang on it," Davis said. O'Sullivan's dedication comes despite his previous admissions that he sometimes finds practice boring. He told TNT Sports: "I don't play as much because I tend to get a little bit bored with just practising now. So I do it in stages, I put a little stint in and then I take some time out because I still want to enjoy the game rather than feel like I'm just doing it for the sake of doing it."
Match Progress
O'Sullivan's hard work appeared to pay off as he took a 9-4 lead against John Higgins in their second-round match on Sunday. However, Higgins mounted a late-session comeback by winning three frames in a row, keeping his hopes alive in the championship. The Rocket's commitment to his craft has impressed fans and pundits alike, as he seeks to add another world title to his illustrious career.
