Ronnie O’Sullivan’s dad has remarkably claimed that the likes of Barry Hearn would have been willing his son to lose after he qualified for the World Open in China. Just two days after beating Judd Trump to secure the World Grand Prix title in Leicester, the ‘Rocket’ was back in action against Alfie Burden in the Barnsley Metrodome.
And the world No.1 was given a tough test, with Burden producing a superb 104 break to level up the match at 3-3. But O’Sullivan kept his composure to take the next two frames and book his spot in the last 64 in Yushan.
That tournament takes place from March 18-24, adding to O’Sullivan’s already hectic schedule. He’s already announced his intentions to skip the upcoming German Masters and Welsh Open, but is due to play in a lucrative invitational event in Saudi Arabia (March 4-6) and the Tour Championship in Manchester (April 1-7).
Those events form the build-up to the World Championship in Sheffield, that starts on April 20. O’Sullivan will be targeting more history at the Crucible, as be bids to become the first player to win the sport’s most iconic event eight times.
And now Ronnie Snr, seemingly seething at his son being made to qualify for the World Open, has accused the sport’s bosses of not only wanting him to get beaten – but also hampering his form with the workload. “Baz earner (Hearn) would have been absolutely over the moon if Ronnie got beat,” he wrote on social media.
“Alfie Burden is a good solid pro and it would not have surprised me if Ronnie got beat. He needs a REST to prepare for the next tournament. WST hamster wheel in motion.”
He also implied that Hearn, who has long had a fractious relationship with O’Sullivan Jnr, liked imposing his power. And the 69-year-old argued that his son was unable to hit out at the schedule or he would be sanctioned.
“If Ronnie had got beat by Alfie Burden which was highly possible then Ronnie wouldn’t be going to China so that’s why he HAD to go to Barnsley because big bad Bazzer is draining him,” he added. “Baz earner is a tyrant. No one says ANYTHING because they get fined”
The latest rants signify a continuation of verbal attacks on the WST from O’Sullivan Snr. Earlier this week he claimed his son’s current contract didn’t even allow him a “shave and a haircut.”
