Ronnie O’Sullivan is a tormented person who needs the man he idolizes to win the historic eighth title. Although the British star has downplayed his ambition to win an eighth championship in the past, it is something that he desperately needs.
Few athletes gaze as intently into the abyss as Ronnie O’Sullivan does in his quest of greatness. He is fighting both himself and his opponent. His inner demons follow him everywhere. Last week, in Bolton, he was unable to defend his Champion of Champions title and withdrew, describing himself as “drained and stressed.”
He withdrew from the Northern Ireland Open in Belfast last month citing “medical reasons.” He is among the greatest champions since he is still standing and winning the major competitions. Snooker isn’t like running. or fighting. or soccer. It doesn’t require much physical exertion before a few hours of standing in brightly colored shoes.
However, few activities are as mentally taxing as wearing. When your opponent is among the balls, you have plenty of time to consider your options.Additionally, as a new film that was published this week graphically reveals, thinking is not good for O’Sullivan. As one might expect given the subject under the arc light, “Ronnie O’Sullivan: The Edge of Everything” is incredibly captivating. You should watch this even if snooker isn’t your thing.
It is a voyage into the mind of a wounded genius that reveals exactly what O’Sullivan needs to do what he accomplishes on the table, as well as what it takes from him.It is as much a study of mental suffering as it is of athletic brilliance.Amidst the film’s in-depth analysis of the world championship final from the previous year, TV pundit Dennis Taylor remarks on how polished O’Sullivan seems at the table. He might have changed his mind if he had seen the behind-the-scenes video of O’Sullivan chain smoking out of his dressing room window during the break while he confides in his doctor about the terror that is consuming him.
O’Sullivan mentions playing for fun, but those remarks clash with the agonized character at The Crucible.When you see the suffering and agony that the spectator does so vividly, you start to question if it is all worth it. O’Sullivan agrees as well. Throughout the movie, he muses out loud about how much simpler it would be to spare himself from having to excavate his soul. Never has a snooker player been more talented. In the movie, Stephen Hendry wistfully recalls how The Rocket defeated him despite playing 90% of their match with his left han.
His 147 during the 1997 world championships is still regarded as one of the most amazing five minutes and twenty seconds of sports you will probably ever witness. But to have upheld his standards for such a long time requires more than just talent. Even at 47, he can still play snooker better than any other player, even during those weeks when it all becomes too much to handle and when he occasionally threatens to give up the game altogether. He has a deep-seated perfectionist’s drive. It seems amazing that he was able to accomplish what he has given his past. His father was a porn star, and his murder conviction set off a long-running pattern of alcoholism, drug abuse, and melancholy. The documentary shows Ronnie O’Sullivan Sr. He says his last words before being sent down were, “Tell my boy to win.” It seems as though O’Sullivan’s subconscious has been permanently burned with those words, both good and bad.
O’Sullivan once considers the similarities between Serena Williams and Tiger Woods, two other serial champions whose careers were molded by strong fathers who gave them a lot of pressure at a young age. For him, it was the same, but with an awful teenage twist. O’Sullivan looked up to his controlling, extravagant father when he was a young lad. Anything would satisfy him if it made him proud. That continued until maturity. O’Sullivan used to visit his father in prison when he was carrying the awards he had received.
Even though he is a parent now, he still wants to win over Ronnie Sr. The documentary’s unstated subtext is that he wants the eighth world title record for himself as much as for his now-free father.
For O’Sullivan, that is a challenging and occasionally unhealthy place to be, but on the other hand, it provides the fuel that keeps him going. Compared to all other players in history, he has already earned the most ranking titles. Just one more world title will do to set himself apart from Hendry. Even if he might never succeed, one of the most intriguing athletes of the modern era will give it his all in the process.
Any week you eclipse a Sachin Tendulkar record has to be a memorable one and the 50th one-day century for India’s kingpin which took his side into the World Cup final was beautifully timed. The fact that the Little Master was there to see it was the syrup on the gulab jamun.
In the format, Tendulkar is still ahead of Kohli by about 5,000 runs, but Kohli has a higher average and a better strike rate. Who is history’s best one-day batter? It’s up for dispute. Observing Tendulkar live was like watching cricket on a high plain. It’s undeniable that Kohli has been the World Cup’s best batter, clearing 700 runs at an average of over a century. All that’s left for him to do is complete the task and defeat Australia in the final for India.
Leave a Reply