Beijing time on April 16, 2022, according to "Eurosport", O'Sullivan responded to the criticism of Iranian player Wafi, saying that it was funny, but it would take a long time to make him unhappy. Selby, Mark Williams, Mark Allen and others supported O'Sullivan, while World No. 11 Luka Brechel was on the opposite side, and he fully supported Hussein Wafi.
This Year's World Championships resumed the media day activities, O'Sullivan and Selby are of course the focus figures, Selby is the defending champion, O'Sullivan is the legend of this stage. Before the match, Hussein Waffy, who had made his first advance into Crucible, attacked O'Sullivan, who believed that O'Sullivan, as the most influential player on the stage, did not play his due role, the snooker movement did not progress, and Wafi also called on O'Sullivan to retire quickly.
In response to such remarks, Eurosport interviewed O'Sullivan, who said it was funny, but it would take a long time to make herself unhappy. In other words, O'Sullivan doesn't care about such criticism. O'Sullivan also said that when he was young, he only wanted to go to Crucible once, but going there year after year is already remarkable, and he will go all out to win the World Championship next.
Wafi criticized O'Sullivan as a hot topic of discussion on all sides, many players also expressed their views, although Selby and O'Sullivan are competitors, the relationship is more general, but he once again supported O'Sullivan, bluntly saying that O'Sullivan is the greatest player in the sport, his contribution has been very much, he guaranteed the box office and attendance. Also, Selby doesn't want O'Sullivan to retire, and it would be great if he could beat O'Sullivan in the World Championship final.
Mark Williams and Mark Allen also support O'Sullivan, who think Waffy's remarks are crazy. Sean Murphy said he initially thought it was hype in order to get more attention, but would Snooker be where he is without O'Sullivan? He wasn't sure.
Luka Brechel, the 11th seed of the World Championships, is on the opposite side of O'Sullivan, saying that it is good to have a player like Wafi, and he is not afraid to say it as long as he wants to say it, even if the other party is O'Sullivan. Brechel concluded by saying he fully supported Hussein Wafi. The World Championships were on the verge of erupting, and the parties fought a war of words before the game, or it could be said to be a psychological war.
In addition, O'Sullivan also talked about the difference between great players and good players, he believes that to be a great player, you need at least 15 three major championships and rule in the sport for 20 years, mentioning the great players in snooker history, he thinks that only Hendry, Steve Davis and himself are in this category, if others are great players, then give them three new nouns. In O'Sullivan's opinion, Neil Robertson is a very good player, but it can't be called great yet!