sport news Ronnie O'Sullivan reveals how snooker players are 'pampered' with lavish ... trends now

Ronnie O'Sullivan says Saudi Arabia's involvement in snooker has made his life easier and claims fans were 'too quick' to judge after the Riyadh Season ball was introduced at last month's event. 

O'Sullivan - who has signed a new three-year ambassadorial agreement with Riyadh Season - told Mail Sport about the way in which players are 'pampered' in Saudi Arabia. 

He said the players are given access to additional practice tables, provided with lunch and dinner in the form of a banquet and driven to and from events to allow them to focus on the snooker. 

O'Sullivan also said the introduction of the Riyadh Season ball at the inaugural Riyadh Season World Masters event last month actually enhanced the game rather than hindered it. 

He felt the fans were wrong to critcise the concept when it first came out as it gave the players' an opportunity to make a life-changing amount of money without changing or compromising the traditional rules. 

O'Sullivan sat down with Mail Sport after his ambassadorial agreement - which will see him take part in all World Snooker Tour events in Saudi Arabia and make special trips to the Kingdom to coach aspiring talent - was announced. 

The conversation with Mail Sport also came after Riyadh Season agreed to become an official partner for snooker's most prestigious tournament, the World Snooker Championship.

When speaking about the difference between the Saudi tournaments and those hosted in other nations, O'Sullivan said: 'I think the tournaments we travel to in Asia and Saudi Arabia are different to the others.     

'A lot more things are laid on for you. You don't have to worry about food because there is a banquet in the afternoon and the evening for all the players and all the officials. 

'You don't have to spend time worrying or thinking about where you are going to eat. Instead of having maybe four practice tables for 120 players, they will have 12 tables. So, you can go and practice when you want. You can take your time. There is a no rush like there usually is with these events. 

'They also put on courtesy cars to take you to and from events. You really don't have to do anything other than play snooker. 

'Sometime the headache [at other events] becomes what am I going to eat, how am I going to get to the venue. Once you take away all the headaches, it kind of just become 'okay, I just need to go and play snooker'. As a player, that's the most important thing. I just want to go and play snooker.'

O'Sullivan - who has won a record 23 Triple Crown titles - went on to add: 'I've always managed to focus just the snooker but it does make my life easier. Even if you put me in the most horrendous of environments, I have this ability where I can just switch on and play. Ever since a kid, it's all I've done. Play snooker. 

'I am pretty hard wired. It doesn't matter what the conditions are I still find a way to go in there and play, but it shouldn't be like that. 

'It's never really bothered me or effected me but if I had a choice, I would choose to play somewhere you are taken care of a bit more. Somewhere you are pampered a bit more. All the players are pampered. Why not.'

Saudi Arabia hosted it's first-ever WST event last month – the Riyadh Season World Masters. O'Sullivan was the star attraction, winning the inaugural event by beating Luca Brecel 5-2 in the final.

The tournament also featured an innovative new concept, introducing a 23rd ball – titled as the Riyadh season ball – to a frame. The ball was worth 20 points, meaning there was the possibility of a 167 maximum break, rather than the traditional 147 maximum. 

The first player to pot the ball was set to earn around £400,000. However, no one managed to claim the prize. Therefore, his Excellency Turki Alalshikh has decided to increase the incentive.