In his most recent argument with the governing bodies of snooker, Ronnie O’Sullivan declared he is “on strike” with regard to the game’s 147 maximum breaks. The seven-time world champion has long harbored animosity toward those in charge of the sport, regularly voicing concerns about playing standards, venue quality, and prize money offered in addition to threatening to retire.
And his most recent attack is a result of this latter idea. O’Sullivan, 48, feels that even though he set a record 15 in his own legendary career, the benefits of getting snooker’s ultimate break don’t justify attempting to obtain one.
However, he now claims that if he hadn’t made the conscious decision to give up trying to hit them, he may have had more. During his commentary for Eurosport during the Welsh Open, O’Sullivan responded to Gary Wilson’s winning shot during his semifinal victory over John Higgins.
“I reckon another five or six, but I went on strike a long time ago,” O’Sullivan said in response to a question about how many more he could have earned. He then declared that £147,000 would be an adequate prize and threatened to carry on his strike “until they start bumping up the prize money.”
Fans were saddened when O’Sullivan pulled out of the Llandudno event at the last minute, but it was the same competition in 2016 that made history when he famously chose to hit a 146 in protest at the bonus prize, which was only worth £10,000. At the time, he said, “I could have got on the black and maybe made a 147.”
“I simply thought that was a little too cheap, actually, even though I knew it was ten thousand. Making a maxi is such a huge accomplishment, and I believe it’s worth a little bit more if they’re willing to pay us $10,000 for it. As soon as the prize increases, I’ll aim for the 147. A 146 is equally impressive.
