Ronnie O’Sullivan reacts to Kyren Wilson’s remarks over TV table snub at the English Open
O’Sullivan and Wilson go head-to-head
Ronnie O’Sullivan admits he has little sympathy for Kyren Wilson after he revealed his frustration over being omitted from the TV table.
World number five Wilson had admitted he felt like his ranking “counts for nothing” as he continues to be placed on the outside tables in the early rounds of tournaments.
Wilson, who whitewashed Noppon Saengkham 4-0 in the opening round of the English Open in Milton Keynes on Monday, told Metro.co.uk: “I feel like I’m spending all my time on Table Two and Table Three, on the graveyard shift.
“I want to be back on Table One where I feel like a world number five should be really.
“I feel like at the minute, world number five counts for nothing, whereas you’re actually in the real top bracket of the game. What does it mean if you’re out in the sticks all the time and not on the showbiz table?”
O’Sullivan was asked his views on Wilson’s comments after his 4-1 win over David Lilley later in the day, and the six-time World Champion believes the 29-year-old would not generate the same viewing figures as some other top players.
“You could stick me in the car park, I don’t care where I play,” O’Sullivan told Eurosport.
“When you’re young and in the game, you want to be on the TV table, but things like that don’t bother me any more.
“You’ve got to just go out there, do the business, play the matches and get them won.
“Get through to the later stages and you’ll be on the TV table, simple.
“Win tournaments, become exciting to watch, done deal. That’s what people want to see. Viewing figures speak, simple as.
“It’s like Tiger Woods, if he’s playing golf then they’ll just follow Tiger because they know people tune in to watch Tiger. Same with tennis and Roger Federer.
“You’re only going to put your big names on there, so Judd, Selby and Higgins.
“I’m not saying Kyren’s not exciting or anything, he’s a very good player, but I suppose more people would tune in to watch someone like Judd than they would Kyren.
“But I suppose getting a bit annoyed is good sometimes, a bit of fire in the belly.”
Judd Trump, who has long been regarded as Wilson’s biggest rival, also had his say, adding: “You have to earn it. You have to win the World Championship, you have to be number one, you have to be up there.
“Otherwise you’re relying on players not playing at the same time as you. Unless he wins the big events, he’s probably not going to be there.”