Barry Hearn has come to the defense of Ronnie O’Sullivan after the snooker legend withdrew from The Masters tournament, urging fellow players to rise to the occasion in his absence.
O’Sullivan, an eight-time Masters champion, cited medical reasons for pulling out of the prestigious event in London, despite expectations of his participation. Hearn dismissed claims that O’Sullivan is solely driven by money and emphasized that it is up to other players to entertain fans when the iconic player is not playing.
Speaking on the BBC’s Framed podcast, Hearn expressed his admiration for O’Sullivan’s exceptional talent and unique playing style, acknowledging the void his absence creates for fans. He emphasized O’Sullivan’s right to decide when and if he competes based on his mental well-being.
Acknowledging the disappointment fans feel when O’Sullivan is absent, Hearn stressed the importance of other players stepping up to fill the void left by the snooker star. He highlighted the need for emerging talents to take on the responsibility of captivating audiences, suggesting that the sport could benefit from multiple players of O’Sullivan’s caliber in the future.
Hearn concluded by underlining the significant impact O’Sullivan has had on the sport over the years and expressed hope that the snooker legend finds happiness in whatever path he chooses.