This is the excruciating moment Ronnie O’Sullivan ignores snooker boss Steve Dawson months after they had a war of words where he called The Rocket ‘misguided’, ‘disrespectful’ and ‘damaging’.
Relations between O’Sullivan, 48, and the World Snooker Tour (WST) chairman appeared to be ice cold in London’s Alexander Palace last night after the historic win over Ali Carter.
As Ronnie’ stood up to collect his trophy, he was reluctant to even look at Mr Dawson before he fist bumped him and Savvas Fellas, founder of online casino MrQ which sponsors the Masters.
The three then walk over to the snooker table to pose for pictures with the Paul Hunter trophy in front of them on the table.
Ronnie, who is now the oldest and youngest ever winner of the Masters, showed no interest in speaking to Mr Dawson and instead chatted animatedly to Mr Fellas.
As Ronnie’ stood up to collect his trophy, he was reluctant to even look at Mr Dawson
The snooker legend even turned his body away from Mr Dawson as he put his right hand down on the edge of the table
Ronnie, who is now the oldest and youngest ever winner of the Masters, showed no interest in speaking to Mr Dawson and instead chatted to Mr Fellas
Ronnie, who is now the oldest and youngest ever winner of the Masters, showed no interest in speaking to Mr Dawson (pictured)
The snooker legend even turned his body away from Mr Dawson as he put his right hand down on the edge of the table.
As the snooker chairman looks at Ronnie trying to get his attention, The Rocket turns his face away and chats to the casino boss instead.
O’Sullivan only looks to his right when his son and daughter, who fans say ‘look more like Ronnie than he does’, joined him to pose for pictures after the other two left.
The excruciating encounter with the snooker boss seemed to go on forever and most fans will have a good idea why.
Back in March last year, Ronnie said snooker was ‘in the worst place it has ever been’ due to there not being enough prize money for competitors.
He told The Sportsman: ‘Listen, snooker is in a bad place. It’s in trouble. This needs at least another £50 million a year just to make it a proper tour.
‘When you look at the number, it’s bad. When you look at £10 million prize money for 25 events across the year for 128 players, it’s never going to be good.’
The greatest to ever pick up a snooker cue even suggested their needed to be a change of management at the top of snooker.
He said: ‘It needs at least to triple that to make it work. Maybe you do need some proper people like Liberty [in Formula One] or someone with the vision to bring it up to date.
‘You look at the people actually managing the game, they are not the brightest sparks either. So you can’t see them digging themselves out of it.
‘But you don’t have to be Einstein. It is probably in the worst place it has ever been. The image of the sport, it’s a bit like a pub sport now.’
As the snooker chairman looks at Ronnie trying to get his attention, the Rocket turns his face away and chats to the casino boss instead
Ronnie O’Sullivan and his children, Lily and Ronnie Jnr, who fans said ‘look more like Ronnie than he does’
Chairman of the WST Steve O’Sullivan did not like what Ronnie said and questioned whether he was a good role model for the sport.
He said: ‘Ronnie is a fantastic player and a legend of our sport, but sometimes his misguided comments go too far.
‘I feel it’s necessary to respond to some of the damaging remarks he made to the press this week.
‘He often compares snooker to golf and tennis, but I would challenge him as to whether for his part he elevates the sport and acts as a role model like a Rory McIlroy or Roger Federer.
‘We are striving to take snooker to a higher level, but we need the players to be ambassadors in public, and to communicate any concerns they have through the right channels.
‘Comments like those from Ronnie this week are damaging to us as a sport – and they’re unfounded.’
Then, in December last year, Ronnie claimed the snooker bosses wanted his ‘resignation’.
It wasn’t the first time Ronnie has been called ‘disrespectful’ either.
After the Rocket pulled out hours before his first round match of the Scottish Open, Liam Graham, who he was due to play against, called him ‘disrespectful’.
He said: ‘It’s disrespectful, it’s not right. A lot of people took time off work to come and watch today and it’s disappointing.
‘It’s not surprising given the things he does. I found out when I got to the venue this morning. I didn’t have much prior warning – I think he pulled out very late.’
Ronnie O’SullivanMastersLondon
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