Stephen Hendry believes that Ronnie O’Sullivan is emulating Mark Williams’ approach after a strong start to the current season. O’Sullivan faced challenges in the previous season, withdrawing from several tournaments due to cue damage caused by frustration in January.
Following his decision to reduce his playing schedule this season, the 49-year-old O’Sullivan has displayed a rejuvenated and focused performance whenever he has competed.
In a remarkable display, O’Sullivan scored two maximum breaks in a single match on his way to the final of the Saudi Arabia Masters, ultimately losing to Neil Robertson in a closely contested final frame. He also showed good form at the Xi’an Grand Prix before being eliminated in the quarter-finals by Gary Wilson.
The Xi’an Grand Prix title was claimed by Mark Williams, a member of the ‘Class of 92′, who defeated Shaun Murphy in the final to become the oldest winner of a ranking tournament at 50 years and 206 days. This achievement surpassed the previous record held by Ray Reardon, who secured a tournament victory at the age of 50 in 1982.
Williams’ relaxed demeanor and ability to bounce back from setbacks have been key to his sustained success. Stephen Hendry, a snooker legend, noted that Williams’ mindset has influenced O’Sullivan positively.
During an appearance on the WST’s Snooker Club podcast, the seven-time world champion remarked, “I think Ronnie’s trying to adopt Mark’s attitude. Ronnie sees that as the winning formula.”
Hendry commended Williams for maintaining a high level of play without extensive practice outside of competitions. He expressed admiration, stating, “That’s why I keep saying he’s my hero because of the life he’s leading, the way he’s doing it. He’s not putting in extra practice. He focuses on the event. The nonchalant attitude towards winning or losing makes him a formidable competitor in any sport, elevating him above opponents in terms of composure.”
