Ronnie O’Sullivan names his three toughest snooker rivals who are ‘in a league of their own’
SNOOKER legend Ronnie O’Sullivan has named the three toughest opponents he has ever faced.
O’Sullivan, 48, has been on the professional snooker scene for 32 years.
During that time, the Rocket has won several titles – including seven world championships.
Many have tried – and failed – to beat him, but O’Sullivan claims there are three players in particular who he believes to be the best.
Speaking to SportsBoom, the snooker legend revealed that Stephen Hendry, John Higgins and Mark Williams are the toughest opponents he has ever faced.
He said: “I played the best player ever in Hendry. I played Higgins and Williams. For me they’re the three best players I’ve ever played against.
“For me, I’ve never played against anyone who can play to their level consistently.
“Everyone has good matches or good seasons, but to do it over a 30-year period or even a 10-year period is not easy to do.
“They’re obviously in a league of their own.”
O’Sullivan also claimed it is unlikely the sport will ever see anything like the ‘Class of 92’ again.
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He added: “I don’t think you will see three (players) have that sort of longevity again, certainly not in snooker anyway.
“I think we’ve pushed each other on in a way. One from Scotland, one from England, one from Wales, so there’s always been that rivalry there – there’s been a three-way rivalry going on.”
He went on to admit that Hendry was among the group of players that inspired him on his ascent to the top of the world snooker rankings, as well as Steve Davis and Jimmy White.
He added: “I think obviously Stephen (Hendry) helped us as well because he was a really good yardstick.
“We grew up watching him, we came to tournaments and saw just how good he was and where we needed to get to.
“He was the man to beat. It took us a while and then he started declining. But we were already on that treadmill, that hard school of knocks if you like, where we were competing with guys like him, (Steve) Davis, John Parrott and Jimmy (White).
“We started getting in and amongst it when we were like 21 and from that age onwards, we’ve sort of kept that momentum and kept that professionalism and that hunger and desire to win.”
O’Sullivan is currently on the hunt for another title at the Saudi Arabia Masters.
He faces Lei Peifan in the last 32 on Tuesday afternoon.
Inside Ronnie's colourful career
FROM his lightning breaks to blasts at officials, Ronnie O'Sullivan has fired snooker into the spotlight.
The seven-time world champion makes almost as big an impact away from the table as on it.
O’Sullivan has three children – two daughters and a son.
And the Rocket’s on-off relationship with British actress Laila Rouass has also hit the headlines.
He has opened up on battles with his weight and addiction.
While the controversial cueist reckons he wasted NINE YEARS of his career by partying too hard.
Despite being worth £14million, O’Sullivan is renowned for his love of canal boats and snubbing flashy cars.
His rivalry with fellow star Judd Trump has been branded ‘snooker’s greatest feud’.
And Ali Carter had his nose knocked out of joint by the Rocket in their infamous ‘Snotgate’ row.
Check out all our latest Ronnie O’Sullivan articles.