Ronnie O’Sullivan isn’t irreplaceable says Ken Doherty – snooker is bigger than any individual

Ronnie O’Sullivan isn’t irreplaceable says Ken Doherty – snooker is bigger than any individual

 

 

 

 

Ken Doherty’s assertion that Ronnie O’Sullivan is not irreplaceable, and that snooker is bigger than any one individual, touches a nerve in a sport that has been shaped profoundly by its greatest-ever player. O’Sullivan’s genius, longevity and sheer force of personality have defined an era, but Doherty’s point is less about diminishing Ronnie’s greatness and more about recognising the resilience and continuity of snooker itself.

There is no denying O’Sullivan’s impact. His seven world titles, record-breaking centuries and effortless style have brought millions of eyes to the game. For many casual fans, he is snooker. He transcended the sport’s traditional audience, appealing to people who might otherwise never have picked up a cue or watched a frame. His candour in interviews, sometimes controversial, sometimes brutally honest, added to his mystique. Players like O’Sullivan don’t come along often, and when they do, they leave a void that feels impossible to fill.

Yet history shows that snooker has always survived the loss of its biggest stars. Before O’Sullivan, there was Steve Davis, whose dominance in the 1980s professionalised the sport and turned it into prime-time television. Before Davis, Alex Higgins brought charisma, chaos and colour, dragging snooker into the public consciousness almost single-handedly. Each era felt defined by its leading man, and each time, there were fears that the game would fade once they were gone. It never did.

Doherty, himself a former world champion, speaks from experience. He lived through the transition from the Higgins era into the Davis and Hendry years, and later watched O’Sullivan redefine what was possible. His argument recognises that while superstars elevate a sport, they are ultimately part of a wider ecosystem: the tour structure, the grassroots, the broadcasters, and the next generation of players coming through.

Today, snooker arguably has more depth than ever. Players like Judd Trump, Mark Selby, Neil Robertson, Zhao Xintong and Luca Brecel have all shown they can carry major events, each bringing a different style and personality. Younger talents are emerging with fearless attacking games, raised on O’Sullivan highlights and inspired rather than intimidated by his achievements. The sport is also more global, with growing interest in Asia and continental Europe, reducing reliance on any single figure.

That doesn’t mean O’Sullivan’s eventual departure won’t be felt. Attendances, TV ratings and general buzz may dip in the short term. Icons matter. But snooker’s appeal has never rested solely on one player. The tension of a deciding frame, the drama of a long safety battle, the theatre of the Crucible – these are bigger than any individual, however brilliant.

In that sense, Doherty is right. Ronnie O’Sullivan is unique and irreplaceable as Ronnie O’Sullivan, but snooker itself will endure, adapt and evolve, just as it always has. The game is not losing its soul when legends step aside; it’s making room for the next chapter.