Ronnie O’Sullivan was set to face Liam Davies at the English Open
Ronnie O’Sullivan may have pulled out of the English Open at Brentwood Leisure Centre, but the snooker legend still made his presence felt at the tournament in a rather lovely way.
The Rocket was scheduled to face young Welsh player Liam Davies in the first round, and Davies received a walkover when O’Sullivan decided not to compete.
But it turns out the seven-time world champion didn’t just disappear — he’d been privately messaging the youngster, sharing tips and guidance ahead of the event.
It’s a brilliant gesture from a player who’s clearly still passionate about the sport, even as he scales back his own schedule.
Ronnie O’Sullivan was set to face Liam Davies at the English Open
Ronnie O’Sullivan was set to face Liam Davies at the English Open
Davies opened up about the exchanges while speaking to TNT Sports, saying: “We’ve actually been having a few conversations, me and Ronnie. He’s been texting me, and giving me a few bits of advice, so I’m very grateful for that.”
He also admitted he’d have loved the chance to face O’Sullivan on the table: “I’m happy with the prize points, but it would have been nice to play Ronnie.”
And the advice clearly did the trick. The 20-year-old went on to knock out reigning world champion Wu Yize at the Essex venue — a fantastic result for someone who was competing in Q School just a couple of months earlier.
“Very excited, it’s just a couple of months ago I was playing in Q School, and now I’m playing on stages like this, so just take every experience as it comes,” Davies said.
While Davies is just getting started on his journey, O’Sullivan finds himself contemplating the final chapter of his remarkable career. The 50-year-old made it clear he’s eyeing two more cracks at the World Championship before making any big decisions.
Ronnie O’Sullivan text Liam Davies some advice after withdrawing from the English Open
“I’d love to win another World Championship. I’ve got two attempts at it,” he said. “If I don’t do it this season or the next season, then it’ll definitely never happen. But I’m pleased with my career. I’m happy with how things have gone, and I just want to try and enjoy these next two years.”
He confirmed he’ll take stock of everything in 2028, leaving the door slightly ajar if results surprise him.
O’Sullivan’s ranking has slipped to 14th in the world, and with that drop has come the loss of certain perks he’s long enjoyed. He recently withdrew from the International Championship after being required to play qualifiers for the first time ever — something he’s made clear he won’t be doing.
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