Snooker great Ronnie O’Sullivan picked up his sixth World Championship crown on Sunday, but it’s his earlier comments about the sport’s younger generation of players that made bigger headlines.
O’Sullivan gave a brutally honest assessment of young cueists, describing them as “half-decent amateurs” before adding, “not even amateurs, they’re so bad”.
The 44-year-old said he’d probably have to “lose an arm and a leg” to drop out of the top 50, and put down his longevity in the sport to the poor level of his competitors.
The Brit is known for his colourful personality and outspokenness but that degree of honesty is so rare in the world of professional sport, that even those familiar with O’Sullivan’s ways were stunned by his statements.
The video of the BBC interview has received more than 4.5 million views on Twitter alone, and it quickly caught the eye of tennis fans, who drew parallels between what O’Sullivan was saying and the current state of men’s tennis.
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer – all aged 32 and over (Federer is 39) – are still dominating the game, scooping the tour’s biggest titles and maintaining their place in the world’s top four.
They’ve proven time and time again that they are a class apart, and it’s taking the younger crop of players forever to try to eclipse them, or at least steal a major crown from them. No active player currently under the age of 30 is a men’s singles Grand Slam champion.
Still, no matter how obvious the gap is, one wouldn’t dream of hearing Djokovic, Nadal or Federer give such a scathing description of their peers the way O’Sullivan has done. They might think it, but they would never say it.
A couple of years ago, retired Russian tennis player Marat Safin said it for them.
"Nadal and Federer are still up there because young people are very bad," the fiery Safin told Marca.
While there are exceptions, most professional athletes stick to safe, polished answers instead of truly speaking their mind.
There can be false modesty, fake camaraderie, evasive one-liners, and routine responses that all make for very bland rhetoric, and the truth is, you can’t blame them for it.
Between the court of public opinion passing judgment through social media, their legally binding contracts with their sponsors, and the press, sportsmen and women have a lot to consider before opening their mouths.
Very few athletes can get away with making comments as blunt as O’Sullivan’s. For some reason, the public can accept an honest statement from someone of legendary status within a sport, but wouldn’t take it from someone who hasn’t achieved as much.
Even though honesty is honesty, and it shouldn’t really depend on how much you have won or achieved.
It’s OK for LeBron James to say, “I feel confident because I’m the best player in the world; it’s simple” during the NBA Finals, and it’s acceptable for Cristiano Ronaldo to say, “If we were all at my level, maybe we would be leaders” after a derby loss. It’s not braggy or insensitive when Rory McIlroy scoffs at a $10 million (Dh37m) bonus and says, “that amount of money doesn’t mean much to me anymore”.
But someone like Nick Kyrgios, a supremely talented Australian tennis player who hasn’t necessarily fulfilled his potential, wouldn’t get a pass for telling it like it is.
Kyrgios has had his issues on court, but off court, his candour is a breath of fresh air. He doesn’t shy away from voicing his dislike of some of the other players, and he’s been openly critical of his peers for their reckless behaviour during the ongoing raging pandemic.
In various press conferences, the Australian has shared his mixed feelings towards tennis, and has opened up about his mental struggles and the constant state of homesickness that envelops him while on tour.
It takes a lot of guts these days to be this upfront as a professional athlete, and it’s not without its consequences.
Bernard Tomic, who has had his fair share of troubles and has made questionable moves in the past, gave a raw and honest account of how he felt after a first-round defeat at Wimbledon in 2017.
Tomic said he felt “bored” on court and admitted he doesn’t often give tennis the respect it deserves. He was 24 at the time but said he felt “old” and was burnt out from enjoying early success as a teenager on tour. His racquet sponsor Head dropped him a couple of days later.
WWhen I asked Djokovic, who is also sponsored by Head, if he felt for Tomic, who was simply being honest, the Serb said that he did but that “it’s understandable, in a way, why Head has reacted in this way; because it’s not the right message to send out there from one of the most talented players”.
‘The right message’, that’s what it comes down to.
Athletes often have to choose between showing their true character – which would allow more fans to connect with them but potentially anger some others – and staying on message. It’s great for them if the two choices align.
Unfortunately for them, that’s not usually the case.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Ovo's tips to find extra heat
- Open your curtains when it’s sunny
- Keep your oven open after cooking
- Have a cuddle with pets and loved ones to help stay cosy
- Eat ginger but avoid chilli as it makes you sweat
- Put on extra layers
- Do a few star jumps
- Avoid alcohol
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
5.10pm: Continous
5.45pm: Raging Torrent
6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
What sanctions would be reimposed?
Under ‘snapback’, measures imposed on Iran by the UN Security Council in six resolutions would be restored, including:
- An arms embargo
- A ban on uranium enrichment and reprocessing
- A ban on launches and other activities with ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear weapons, as well as ballistic missile technology transfer and technical assistance
- A targeted global asset freeze and travel ban on Iranian individuals and entities
- Authorisation for countries to inspect Iran Air Cargo and Islamic Republic of Iran Shipping Lines cargoes for banned goods
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Specs
Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh158,000 (Cooper), Dh168,000 (Aceman), Dh190,000 (Countryman)
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Our family matters legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
About Housecall
Date started: July 2020
Founders: Omar and Humaid Alzaabi
Based: Abu Dhabi
Sector: HealthTech
# of staff: 10
Funding to date: Self-funded
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
OPINIONS ON PALESTINE & ISRAEL
Info
What: 11th edition of the Mubadala World Tennis Championship
When: December 27-29, 2018
Confirmed: men: Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Kevin Anderson, Dominic Thiem, Hyeon Chung, Karen Khachanov; women: Venus Williams
Tickets: www.ticketmaster.ae, Virgin megastores or call 800 86 823
BAD%20BOYS%3A%20RIDE%20OR%20DIE
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Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Women’s World T20, Asia Qualifier, in Bangkok
UAE fixtures Mon Nov 20, v China; Tue Nov 21, v Thailand; Thu Nov 23, v Nepal; Fri Nov 24, v Hong Kong; Sun Nov 26, v Malaysia; Mon Nov 27, Final
(The winners will progress to the Global Qualifier)
A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Brief scores:
Toss: Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi, chose to field
Environment Agency: 193-3 (20 ov)
Ikhlaq 76 not out, Khaliya 58, Ahsan 55
Pakhtunkhwa Zalmi: 194-2 (18.3 ov)
Afridi 95 not out, Sajid 55, Rizwan 36 not out
Result: Pakhtunkhwa won by 8 wickets
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How being social media savvy can improve your well being
Next time when procastinating online remember that you can save thousands on paying for a personal trainer and a gym membership simply by watching YouTube videos and keeping up with the latest health tips and trends.
As social media apps are becoming more and more consumed by health experts and nutritionists who are using it to awareness and encourage patients to engage in physical activity.
Elizabeth Watson, a personal trainer from Stay Fit gym in Abu Dhabi suggests that “individuals can use social media as a means of keeping fit, there are a lot of great exercises you can do and train from experts at home just by watching videos on YouTube”.
Norlyn Torrena, a clinical nutritionist from Burjeel Hospital advises her clients to be more technologically active “most of my clients are so engaged with their phones that I advise them to download applications that offer health related services”.
Torrena said that “most people believe that dieting and keeping fit is boring”.
However, by using social media apps keeping fit means that people are “modern and are kept up to date with the latest heath tips and trends”.
“It can be a guide to a healthy lifestyle and exercise if used in the correct way, so I really encourage my clients to download health applications” said Mrs Torrena.
People can also connect with each other and exchange “tips and notes, it’s extremely healthy and fun”.
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERooh%20Afza%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20contains%20414%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETang%20orange%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ECarob%20beverage%20mix%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%20about%20300%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EQamar%20Al%20Din%20apricot%20drink%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20saving%20contains%2061%20calories%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EVimto%20fruit%20squash%3C%2Fstrong%3E%0D%3Cbr%3E100ml%20serving%20contains%2030%20calories%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh590,000
