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UPDATED NEWS: Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comments ‘disrespectful’ – on..

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  •  Ronnie O’Sullivan’s comments ‘disrespectful’ – WST chairman Steve Dawson

  • Ronnie O’Sullivan’s latest criticisms about snooker have been “damaging” according to World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson. Dawson responded to O’Sullivan’s comments over prize money in a long statement, where he questioned whether The Rocket has been a role model for the sport and says his words “too often are disrespectful to snooker’s dedicated management”.

    World Snooker Tour chairman Steve Dawson has responded to Ronnie O’Sullivan after the world No. 1 claimed the sport “is in the worst place it has ever been”.
    O’Sullivan criticised snooker at the WST Classic, particularly for the amount of prize money that is given out at tournaments.
    The seven-time world champion was not part of a meeting held between the players and WST last week.
    “Ronnie is a fantastic player and a legend of our sport, but sometimes his misguided comments go too far,” said Dawson.
    “I feel it’s necessary to respond to some of the damaging remarks he made to the press this week.
    “Firstly, Ronnie has never attended a players’ meeting or engaged with us to discuss his opinions.
    “There are three formal levels where he can provide feedback: through the WST Board, through the WPBSA Players’ board or through players’ meetings, and he has not engaged through any of these channels. He also has my number and is welcome to speak with me directly.”
    O’Sullivan suggested the players lower down the rankings are “tempted by crumbs” and compared the £80,000 prize for the champion at the Home Nations events, to other sports such as golf and tennis.
    Dawson questioned whether The Rocket, like well-known figures from other sports, has served as an inspiration.
    “He frequently draws parallels between snooker and tennis and golf, but I would challenge him to show me whether he personally improves the game and serves as an inspiration to others, a la Rory McIlroy or Roger Federer,” Dawson added.
    “We want to elevate snooker, but in order to do so, we need players to represent the sport in public and voice any issues they may have through the appropriate channels. We as a sport are suffering from remarks like Ronnie’s this week, and they are baseless.
    “In 2010, the commercial rights of snooker were awarded to Matchroom Sport. In that time, snooker has grown exponentially around the world.
    “At the time there were six tournaments and total prize money of £3.5 million. This season there are 21 events.
    “Prize money reached £15 million before the pandemic and is currently at £11 million. The dip since 2019 has been principally caused by the inability to stage tournaments in China whilst the country was in an unprecedented lockdown.
    “We are determined to resume a full schedule of events in China in the near future, and at that point our tour will be stronger than ever.”
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