Ronnie O'Sullivan has stated that he will never be close friends with his Class of 92 contemporaries John Higgins and Mark Williams, ahead of his second-round match against Higgins at the World Snooker Championship. The 50-year-old, who faces Higgins for the 80th time in their careers, insists he keeps his distance from fellow players away from the table.
Speaking to TNT Sports, O'Sullivan explained: 'I think Mark and John are better friends than I am with them. I don't really get close to anyone on the snooker circuit, because I don't really hang around tournaments. No one sees me, I'd rather be down the gym or go running, or go to nice restaurants, while a lot of the players hang out with each other.'
The seven-time world champion, who is aiming for a record-breaking eighth title, added that he sees snooker as a hobby rather than a job. 'I don't want to talk about snooker, I get bored talking about rankings, about what world snooker is doing. I have zero interest in snooker as far as that's concerned,' he said.
O'Sullivan also revealed plans to try his hand at pool in the future, possibly in China, and expressed a desire to move into business after retiring from snooker. 'I'd like to see myself involved in a team of some sort... with a business or something where you're all kind of pulling your weight,' he added.
