‘I’ve been coaching Ronnie – this is what sessions have been like’ | Other | Sport

The narrative surrounding Ronnie O’Sullivan and the World Snooker Championship has sadly shifted in recent months. Since his memorable 2022 triumph, which saw him draw level with Stephen Hendry on seven Crucible crowns, the build-up to the last two tournaments has been dominated by the question, ‘Can Ronnie make it eight?’.

Now, the question is, ‘Will Ronnie show up?’ The Rocket hasn’t figured in a full tournament since the pre-Christmas Riyadh Season Championship in Saudi Arabia, home of his new snooker academy. He returned to the table briefly in January at the Championship League, only to smash his cue in frustration and withdraw before his final group match. Then came the seismic shock that he wouldn’t defend his Masters crown. He still showed up at Alexandra Palace in a punditry capacity, saying his decision to withdraw had been marginal.

That suggested he was close to returning to tournament action. However, more withdrawals followed, including a last-minute call to pull out of the Welsh Open that led to him making a public apology.  Despite also missing the German Masters, O’Sullivan cynics insisted he wouldn’t dream of missing the World Open in China and Hong Kong’s World Grand Prix due to his pulling power in the Far East.

However, he withdrew from those tournaments too, meaning a record-extending 33rd appearance at the Crucible cannot be taken for granted. At the end of last year, the Rocket enlisted the help of Mark Williams’ long-time coach, Lee Walker. Williams had no issues with Walker, who has also worked with Mark Allen, linking up with one of his great rivals.

“He told me to do it,” said Walker in an interview for Reach’s special World Championship publication, which is available to order now. “He basically said, ‘When a player like Ronnie asks you, there’s only one answer’.”

That relationship is still ongoing as fans await the Rocket’s Crucible call with bated breath. Walker, speaking in mid-March, added: “We’re still working together but he’s taking a bit of a break at the moment. We’ll just wait and see whether he comes back and plays at the World Championship.

“Hopefully, if he does play in the World Championship, he can feel a bit better and get back to doing what he does best, which is potting balls.”

While Walker has had just a handful of sessions with O’Sullivan so far, he described them as “incredible” experiences. He said: “It’s different to Mark because we’re very good friends and have practised together for years. I know what I’m seeing there.

“I’ve played Ronnie a couple of times but had not actually seen what he does close up. I’ve had four or five sessions with him, and I enjoyed every one. He was first-class with me in every session we did. To see a player like that up close, everybody can learn different things from watching him.”

While O’Sullivan’s immediate future is uncertain, Walker insists it would be foolish to write him off. The same goes for Williams and fellow ‘Class of 92’ member John Higgins, who recently ended a four-year wait for a ranking title at the World Open.

“If he [O’Sullivan] never plays again or never wins another tournament, he’ll still go down as the greatest player who’s ever played the game,” insisted Walker.

“John has just won again [at the World Open] after a few years of not winning. People said he’d never win another tournament but you can never write these guys off. They’re just incredible.

“I’m sure Ronnie will eventually want to get back to it. I think everyone, firstly, wants to see him feeling good and then getting back to what he does best.”