O'Sullivan responded to Ryan Day's acknowledgment of the scars caused by past failures
O'Sullivan said that after Ryan Day admitted that he lost to him at Crucible 18 years ago, he was left with a trauma, and that is the nature of sport.
The Rockets and Ryan Day meet again in Sheffield this year, and it sounds like an explosive game if their name is anything to go by.
Their only previous game at the World Championships was a good one, with O'Sullivan winning 13-10, but they did well only after Ryan Day took a 9-7 lead.
The Welsh veteran remembers that game very well. "I'm much younger and inexperienced, and this is my second time playing here," he said. I beat Joe Perry in the first fight. I remember I was 9-7 up and then I was very confident and thought I would have a chance to beat O'Sullivan on the biggest stage.
"I remember a few shots. Especially one time, I had a free kick and made a mistake on the pink ball, the cue ball jumped up and the ball fell into the corner pocket. The situation has changed from there. ”
Ryan Day acknowledged that such a loss would have a lasting impact, saying: "It was a big game. This place gives you a lot of good memories and a lot of scars. This is undoubtedly one of the scars. It's not a simple trauma, but it's hidden somewhere deep in your psyche.
It's been a long time since we last played here. When you lose important games, especially close ones, there are always scars in those games where you have a chance to win. ”
For more than 30 years, O'Sullivan has been inflicting nightmarish losses on people, and while he does have a glimmer of sympathy for them, it's only a little.
Rocket said that if he felt sympathy for his scarred opponent, he wouldn't see it as the essence of the sport and what you are involved in.
In the pros, this is very unforgivable. The tour is really tough and I've competed a lot over the years as a junior and amateur and it just makes you stronger.
It's tough. I'm rooting for everyone in the pro game because I know it's tough. No matter where you are, there is always someone chasing you or you trying to get ahead of the next person. The competition is fierce.
Ryan Day will be a long-term underdog starting on Sunday, but he's looking forward to the matchup, especially with his first-round win over Hawkins, where he impressed in the final five innings.
Despite his past scars, he draws inspiration from the Rockets, and he's still at the peak of the sport at the age of 48.
It's pretty remarkable. Ryan Day said the Rocket's career longevity is staggering. Everyone is talking about the Class of '92 (75 Sanjie). Probably three of the four or five greatest players of all time. It's enviable to be at the top level at the age of 48 or 49.
I am 44 years old. I'm not stupid, and I might be able to get a little hope out of that. I can't wait to see how the Rockets perform. He's the greatest player of all time. I have to worry about what I can control and see what kind of height this fight will take me. ”
Ryan Day is working with coach Henry Kerry and he feels their attention to hitting the ball, and even whether the ball goes into the pocket, has paid off.
Focusing on what they've been doing can improve his batting ability and help overcome the anxiety that has permeated his game over the years.
On how he felt in his opening win over Hawkins. "It's something to think about, but it's not about the result of the shot," he said. We've been thinking about what Chris and I are doing for a long time. ”
"Especially in the last three or four weeks before qualifying, and this week. I really don't care if the ball goes in or not. It's a derivative of the work you do. It works, and it pays off.
"I feel like I'm hitting the ball as well as I've been for a long time in the last three weeks. If you get carried away, at my age, it's hard for me to feel anxious and nervous. It would help if I was completely focused on what I could control during the shot. Hitting the ball delivers good ideas and good feedback – which helps ease anxiety. "The Rockets currently have a 10-6 lead over Ryan Day. (Welcome to click to pay attention to moisturizing AB, please indicate the source for reprinting, thank you)