Ronnie O'Sullivan quits after being praised for 'greatest sportsmanship in history'

Ronnie O'Sullivan asked to re-spot the black ball against Stuart Bingham. Photo: Getty Images/George Wood

Ronnie O'Sullivan demonstrated what former world champion Neil Robertson called «the greatest sportsmanship I have ever seen in any sport» during his World Cup quarter-final defeat snooker with a score of 13-10 from Stuart Bingham on Wednesday.

In the 12th frame of the match, world No. 1 O'Sullivan created a golden chance to extend her lead to 7-5 when referee Desislava Bozhilova re-spotted Black, preventing him from seeing the fielding corner. next red.

O'Sullivan, however, noticed that the black had rolled a little out of place and apparently thought that the red would be drinkable if the color were placed in the correct position .

<р>After several attempts, Bozhilova managed to reposition Black so that she did not roll and actually seemed to leave the possibility of a winning frame open. O'Sullivan, however, decided to give up the pot before losing the frame and going into the day slot level mid-session at 6-6 (see video below).

'I just don't like it…'

Ronnie O'Sullivan shows great sportsmanship to Stuart Bingham after some doubts about black ball rearrangements ⚫#CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter. com/loIxbiv6cs

— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 1, 2024

«If he plays here safely, it will probably be the greatest display of sportsmanship I've ever seen in any sport — incredible,» Robertson told the BBC. “He could play red. I've never seen anything like this before.

“What Ronnie did there was really incredible — giving up a pot with a huge chance to go up 7-5 because he didn't believe he could get to red if black was in place. And it's not the referee's fault — it's just one of those situations in this sport where even a millimeter can't make a difference.»

O'Sullivan later claimed that some judges «got it.» . for me» on the way to his shock exit. Besides Black's reappearance, another controversial moment arose when he told referee Bozhilova to «cool down» after play was disrupted by fans entering the arena mid-shot.

There was tension in the evening as fans flocked to the match on the other side of the arena between John Higgins and Kyren Wilson, while O'Sullivan had a chance to level the score at 11-11 (see video below).

'What are we doing❓'

Ronnie O'Sullivan's kick is delayed as spectators take their seats after a break in the middle of another match ⏯️ #CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/SAcGKwG7bU

— Eurosport (@eurosport), May 1, 2024

With spectators in sight during the decisive red, O'Sullivan refused to play until they were seated. When Bozhilova encouraged O'Sullivan to continue and said the door was closed, O'Sullivan told the referee to “relax,” to which she responded, “I’m cold.”

O'Sullivan was locked. generous in defeat, despite missing out on a golden chance to become the first eight-time winner of the Crucible, declaring that Bingham deserved his victory.

Bingham will now play Wales qualifier Jack Jones in one semi-final, while Wilson will face David Gilbert in the other.