Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed he almost missed a match due to going out for a kebab, after the Rocket addressed recent comments made by Ding Junhui. Ding seemingly took a dig at O'Sullivan when discussing snooker's 'roll-on, roll-off' system at tournaments.
Many players have been quick to criticise, including Ding who also believes O'Sullivan receives special treatment with the world No. 1 usually given an allotted time. He said: "It’s [roll-on, roll-off] been going on for many years so maybe people are OK with it, but I prefer having a match at a certain time.
"Players should be able to get ready for the match, know what time we play, then we play our best. We’re not just waiting to see when we play, it’s like a circus. For the fans as well, they want to know when their player is playing, not wait four, five hours and see them at 11pm.
"Who wants that? Ronnie knows when his time will be, I’m not as famous as Ronnie, but we should respect everyone. There’s only 131 professionals." In typical O'Sullivan fashion, the 47-year-old has been quick to respond.
Claiming Ding was 'whinging' he told Eurosport : "I read that article and he was having a right little whinge there wasn't he? Which is a bit unlike Ding." O'Sullivan himself admitted he has fallen foul to it, having nearly missed a game due to going out for a kebab.
He admitted: "I was actually late doing that for one of my matches but I was just enjoying my kebab too much and I went 'I'm not rushing this'." Despite his mishap, the world No. 1 has encouraged players to head out and enjoy their time in between matches, instead of waiting around for their start time."
"I think you've just got to get your head around it. If you don't know when you're playing, go out, have a nice meal, chill out and watch a film. Just wait for the call.I say 'Martin, ring me as soon as that final ball has potted and I will have the cab. I'll get there as soon as I can'.
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"Otherwise you can waste your whole night waiting and there's nothing worse than that. That's what I would do because I wouldn't sit around waiting for someone else, especially if you're behind Mark Selby you'll be there all night.
"It's the waiting that's the problem. So go on enjoy your day, enjoy your evening. Have a nice meal, but just be within touching distance of the venue. Get the call, bang! In you go. Happy days! You've had a great night and you get to play a bit of snooker at the end of it."
