This is the best interview I've ever seen. 95% of interviews (with anyone) never really break through that veneer of superficiality, but this went so deep. Made me see the proper character, personality and emotion of someone I thought I knew. And from what I can see, that is entirely down to your relaxed, approachable, and free-flowing mindset towards someone who can (wrongly in my opinion) be considered difficult. Absolutely amazing work!!!
Remember one thing though. Most people only let you see what they want you to know about themselves. Celebrities specifically when they do interviews they only say what they want us to know about themselves to boost refresh or prolong their careers. Ronnie is definitely a special person for sure and I love his image so much but sometimes I’m intrigued that I will never get to know him.
Ronnie is such a good person, remarkable interview, raw, real, the things he has gone through since he was 15 years old would break most people, support you Ronnie from afar, god bless.
Great interview! ❤ Ronnie is a hero and this interviewer seems very down to earth which you could see Ronnie appreciated and felt comfortable with him!
A typical type A personality. A man of internal conflicts, which often , displays itself, in a lot of internal conflict, arrogance, and often, apathy. Any sport, cannot be as it is, without these characters, driving it, where it is respected and admired, by sports fans all over the world. To be number one, you have to be an island.
Undoubtedly, Barry Hearn possesses unparalleled expertise in event promotion compared to myself and many others. However, I can't shake the feeling that he has veered off course with snooker since the early 2000s. As an ardent snooker enthusiast with over two decades of playing experience, I find myself drained by the proliferation of obscure snooker events he's introduced to the circuit lately. Watching top 50 or 100 players compete in a vacant room devoid of any atmosphere is disheartening and lacks the essence that makes the sport captivating. Countless professionals have voiced their grievances regarding the venues, prize money, and scheduling. One would expect that if the entire workforce expresses concerns about the sport's future and the top 16 players offer suggestions, they would be considered. However, it appears as though these concerns are falling on deaf ears, as Hearn seems fixated on the wealth potential from ventures like Saudi Arabia, almost at the expense of snooker's integrity, tarnishing it with oil-driven financial gain. It's truly disheartening to witness how snooker has evolved under his direction in recent years. Personally, I fear losing interest in the sport once the players from the 1990s to 2000s era start retiring, given the current trajectory it's taking.
I was watching the snooker today in the background. I knew about 50% of the players, it's probably my fault for not following it. Back in the day I was glued to the TV watching it, its was fantastic. At weekends we would all go to Rileys and try to recreate what we had seen. I don't think it' is getting the kids today or all the clubs wouldn't be shutting down. Maybe we can blame Facebook and RU-vid for taking the attention away from a fascinating sport or we can blame Barry. Is it a mixture of both?
A superb in-depth interview from Amol Rajan with The Rocket. So well structured as a documentary about Ronnie’s life and career too, he is with a doubt a legend of snooker, I told him so :) There’s a scene @32:55 that shows Ronnie jogging, I knew straight away where it was filmed. . .the Great Orme, Llandudno, North Wales my home town. About 6 or 7 years ago I went with my Son to watch the quarter finals of the Welsh Open held at the Venue Cymru Llandudno, as we were leaving, Ronnie was stood chatting to some peeps in the foyer, as I walked past I just said ‘Ronnie, you’re a legend’ he looked back at me with a nice appreciative smile. Who would love to see a Hendry v’s O’Sullivan final at the Crucible to determine the holder of 8 World Championship titles? ?
His internal battle ..continues. Weird point to end the interview on. But don't worry , after this interview was conducted Ronnie went on to win another UK Championship. Which makes him the youngest ever winner at 17 and now the oldest at 47. Ronnie is just fine BBC.
Great interview. Hopefully, nothing much to his withdrawal mentioned at the end. It would be great if he is still at it for another 5-6 years, that he mentioned
Well done mate...ronnie is really a good person. The most honest man when he spoke. Hopefully he will manage to fight about his inner conflict. Just a reminder, dont forget to face to our Creator mate. Coz we all just a creation.
Absolutely loved his documentary The edge of everything. He is such a humble character, and suffice to say when this goat retires I don’t know if I’ll watch snooker any more. Even tho I love the sport.
Respect for where snooker is now because of BH but the players should be able to pick where and when they play. We should make the UK the place players want to play, not where they are forced to play. The players are humans not side show attractions
To know what's going on in the head of the best player in history, is the same as what's going on in my head standing over a two foot putt to win a match is humbling, reassuring and unbelievable. No-one owns Ronnie, that's unique in the world today.
Ronnie is a living Legend but he is also full of flaws, contradictions and always battling his Demons, one interview he will talk perfect sense and is completely rational, self aware and full of intelligent conversation, the next interview he talks complete rubbish and seems tone deaf that he is coming across like a tool. This interview is brilliant and shows him at his best with honesty and vulnerability, but even after all these years he still seems to have no idea how much he's Loved, or maybe thinks he doesn't deserve it, for the last 20yrs he's been threatening to give up the game and been at odds at various times with different Players and Snooker Officials, he doesn't realise Ronnie O'Sullivan playing at 75% of his best will still win most Tournaments and Ronnie O'Sullivan playing at even 90% is still unplayable, in fact no one can really beat Ronnie the only one who beats Ronnie is himself, his own self doubt is his biggest opponent.
@@YlL-ji2sl When Ronnie is talking about seeing other players practice and seeing that they don't have the right mentality to be at their absolute best... Brecel certainly fits into this category. Brecel has an amazing talent but just not the mentality that is takes to be a consistent winner. He won the WSC and then enjoyed his life so much that he gained a lot of wait in a couple of months and besides the Shanghai Masters final, he was outplayed in early rounds in a lot of tournaments. Because "he was not motivated anymore" (Brecels own words) and to find motivation he emptied his bank account by buying more cars and thus having to perform and get more prize money. Dude won WSC once and think he's done...
@@MrUberboss That's true, but in some way he's talking about himself, when he was young. Unbeliebably talented, but with a livestyle that held him back from fullfill his potential. And look at him know. Brecel could be the same.
Last 5-10 mins trying to explain why he shouldnt have to do what everyone else does, hes trying desperately not to say ' because im ronnie o'fu**insullivan!' 😂
@40:06 I think they want a piece of the cake. I don't feel like I need to give them a piece of my cake, they don't wanna give me a piece of their cake had me belly laughing so hard. The Goat Ronnie.
Him like Tiger, left to play and practice for hours daily. They put in the work early, knowing their own games inside out. So to fix issues on the fly, came easier to them than others. Snooker far harder than golf. (I play golf abit ) As for 147, in golf terms, it's what a birdie each hole, and Eagle all par 5s? 50 gross😮 never been done.
As much as I would hate to see a situation where he did leave the WPSA tour for China I cant say I'd blame him for one I'm disgusted that there has not been any recognition from the annual BBC sports personality ceremony either for life time achievement or for the main award itself as one of the best sportsman in General Britain has ever had in general let alone Snooker in acknowledgment for all his achievements and continues to do at his age which is unprecedented , come on BBC when are you going to wake up and smell the coffee?
The worrying part is the issue Ronnie mentioned about China "wanting a piece of the pie" I think that translates to china wanting in on majority tournament, wanting to lock up players (especially a goat like Ronnie) for exclusive rights. That means Ronnie can't even get involved in his own stuff without needing to pay the Chinese. It is a very sad way to see the best in the world leave the game because of something like that...
The last comment in the video... for god sake, why do they trivialize his private life, I mean, the way it's spoken is as if "ahh see, he was lying when I asked him and he didn't feel good at all".
@@Adam-zh4hm Perhaps, in recent years, when the money was enticing. But he's threatening to quit snooker if he doesn't get his own way, and to go to China (not to play snooker) to play Chinese 8-ball. It's typical petulant Ronnie. The same Ronnie who couldn't congratulate Judd on a 147. I find him pathetic and self-absorbed.
I can’t think of anyone who has given more to snooker? He’s carried the sport alone at times. He’s the biggest draw, sells the most tickets, brings the biggest crowds and atmospheres, the largest tv figures (which leads to larger advertising revenue for snooker). The list goes on.
He looks uneasy and anxious in this interview,maybe a sore elbow,dodgy heel or loose cue tip that needs biting.Suppose we will find out at the last minute if he is set for the Masters
Ronnie says he gets panic attacks from the pressure of trying to win tournaments. Interviewer asks why he still does it... it's because his Dad told him to win.
We’ve all got goals and problems wtf some people are that blessed they don’t even see it! It’s a game let’s remember that I am a snooker player no I am a man playing a game of snooker! Little bit of diva I’m afraid!. Go to China then,he’s not the only player in snooker who cares someone else will come along guaranteed! And how Stephen Lee got 12 year ban for match betting, John Higgins too and Ronnie takes drugs and gets hardly anything for that! Who loves Ronnie huh it’s a joke!
Hendry could only dream of playing competitively at world level in his late 40’s. He was a great player in an era of lesser elite competition and couldn’t deliver the same longevity. Ronnie has played in multiple eras, including now where the overall standard is higher. Both greats, but the GOAT is now undeniably The Rocket in every metric- titles, records, stats, longevity, eye test.
@@miambao This, Stephen was absolutely outstanding but imagine if he had to go up against the Selby's, Trumps or Robertsons let alone Ronnie in his prime, and with the talented Chinese players and top 16-32 players now
