Comment by Snooker Chat’s Nigel Slater
There’s a lot of news articles at the moment about “breaking silence” these days. So much so it seems like a lot of people are doing it.
If you search “breaks silence” you’ll see a plethora of articles about celebrities breaking silence on things.
Well please let me join the queue. Because I want to break my silence about something.
The latest headlines in recent days surrounding Ronnie O’Sullivan’s personal life are, in my view, nothing short of misleading and come at a bad time for snooker.
There have been articles published this week about O’Sullivan’s ex-partner Laila Rouass. It is about what she has said – or not said in this case – when interviewed at an awards ceremony.
National papers claim the actress has “broke her silence” on her split with the snooker superstar.
But Rouass is quoted as saying: “I am going to keep that under wraps for now until there is something to speak about.”
So she has not said anything about the split. Only that she is going to keep it “under wraps”. This is hardly “breaking silence”.
Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Crucible decision
Many snooker fans are looking forward to seeing Ronnie O’Sullivan back in action. He’s not played in a ranking event since November and made a brief but dramatic outing in the Championship League in January which was behind closed doors.
There are still question marks on whether he will play at the World Championship. But a recent article published on the World Snooker Tour website has his name down on the entry list – make of that what you will.
What is clear is that O’Sullivan has needed time away from the game. In a statement last month he said: “I’ve been trying to prioritise my health and well-being, which sometimes means making last-minute decisions not to play. It’s never an easy decision and I hate letting people down.”
Let’s hope misleading articles, such as the one mentioned, about his personal life will not impact his health and well-being at a time when all associated with snooker and fans want to see him back.
Snooker is never about one person. But If O’Sullivan doesn’t play then it is no doubt a blow for the sport. Snooker is better to watch with a happy and healthy O’Sullivan involved.
Lets hope O’Sullivan breaks his silence at the Crucible and he’s back in good health.
