Stephen Hendry believes that Ronnie O’Sullivan has adopted a similar approach to Mark Williams, resulting in a positive start to the current season for the snooker star. O’Sullivan faced challenges during the previous season, withdrawing from several tournaments abruptly after a cue-breaking incident in January.
Following his decision to limit his competition schedule, the 49-year-old has demonstrated a rejuvenated and focused performance whenever he has competed. Notably, he achieved two maximum breaks in a single match on his way to the final of the Saudi Arabia Masters, where he narrowly lost to Neil Robertson in the deciding frame. O’Sullivan also displayed good form at the recent Xi’an Grand Prix before exiting in the quarter-finals against Gary Wilson.
The Xi’an Grand Prix title was claimed by Williams, a member of the ‘Class of 92,’ who defeated Shaun Murphy in the final to become the oldest-ever winner of a ranking event at 50 years and 206 days old, surpassing the previous record set by Ray Reardon in 1982.
Williams’ relaxed demeanor has been credited for his sustained success, with his ability to move past setbacks without dwelling on them. Hendry, a snooker legend, commended Williams for his exceptional performance despite minimal practice outside of tournaments. He praised Williams for his carefree attitude towards wins and losses, highlighting the psychological advantage it provides in competitive sports.
In a podcast interview on the WST’s Snooker Club, Hendry pointed out O’Sullivan’s emulation of Williams’ mindset, stating, “I think Ronnie’s trying to copy Mark a bit in his attitude. Ronnie’s seen that that’s the way to go.” Hendry further expressed his admiration for Williams, emphasizing his admiration for the Welshman’s approach to the game and his ability to maintain composure and focus under pressure.