Ronnie O’Sullivan has been reluctant to speak out about his rivals after initiating a ‘golden rule’ (Image: GETTY)
has stayed true to his word after explaining he wasn’t going to comment on other players anymore in the aftermath of his victory over Zhou Yuelong at the Players Championship last February.
The seven-time winner insisted he had given himself a new “golden rule” after dispatching Zhou 6-2.
O’Sullivan has since been tight-lipped and has given little reaction to the performances and behaviour of other players on the tour.
He has taken a break from the sport in recent weeks and hasn’t played a competitive match since withdrawing from the Championship League in January.
O’Sullivan cemented his place in the Players Championship quarter-finals with his victory over Zhou a year ago. But when asked for his thoughts on the match during an interview with ITV, he that he wouldn’t make judgements on other players.
“Yeah I am not going to comment on other players anymore so…,” he snapped. “I am just pleased to be through. I don’t assess my performances really, I make that a golden rule and just play. A bit of match practice, take what I can from the tour and move on.”
O’Sullivan appeared to be feeling the heat after his victory against Ali Carter a month before he made those comments.
Ronnie O’Sullivan (left) and Ali Carter clashed after the Masters final in 2024 (Image: GETTY)
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Carter had accused O’Sullivan of “snotting” and clearing his nose “all over the floor”, with the Rocket hitting back during an X-rated rant as he exclaimed: “For him to come out and trash talk me like that, everybody knows what he’s like – he’s got issues.
“Why has he got issues with me? I’m not having it. I don’t care. I will not skirt around it anymore, tiptoeing on eggshells around someone like that.
“He’s a nightmare. To have to play snooker against someone like that is a nightmare. [He’s] not a nice person, not a nice vibe that he leaves around the table.”
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But at the start of this year, at those comments as he reflected: “Yeah, it’s just heat of the moment stuff.
“Do I regret saying it? Probably. I wish I’d kept my mouth shut and been a bit more polished with my answers, a bit more diplomatic.
“If I feel like I’ve got to say something, I’ll say it. It’s nothing personal, just heat of the moment stuff. He’s entitled to say what he’s got to say, like I am.”
O’Sullivan pulled out of the Masters last month for “medical reasons” and then withdrew from the Welsh Open just hours before he was due to face Jamie Clarke.
And snooker fans will be desperate to see the blockbuster star back in action in the coming weeks, though that will .