Ronnie O'Sullivan nearly late for English Open snooker match as was 'in kebab shop' and 'all over the gaffe'

ByDan Quarrell

Updated 04/11/2021 at 13:30 GMT

"I turned up with seven minutes to go," O'Sullivan said at the English Open. "I was still in my jeans and trainers. I got my gear on. I was all over the gaffe. I was over in the kebab shop with my friends, having a good time, putting the world to rights and thought 'I better go now' as the previous match had finished. Ah, I got to finish the kebab and had the baklava, too. It was a long lunch."

Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed in comical fashion how he was almost late to a big match at the English Open due to being "over in the kebab shop".

The 45-year-old scrambled to the Marshall Arena in Milton Keynes with just "seven minutes to go" before facing Michael Georgiou after he was out for his "long" Turkish lunch with friends.

O'Sullivan looked understandably sluggish early on and lost the opening frame, but then knocked in 82, 127, 129 and 108 to storm back and claim a 4-1 victory in style.

World Championship

O'Sullivan: I'd be motorsport world champion and challenge Hamilton if not for snooker

Yesterday at 09:29

As The Rocket explained, he was "all over the gaffe" upon arriving at the venue following his kebab, but managed to turn things around and secure his progress at the prestigious Home Nations event.

"I turned up with seven minutes to go," O'Sullivan said at the English Open following his victory over Georgiou.

I was still in my jeans and trainers. I got my gear on. I was all over the gaffe.

'Even by his standards, this has been a treat' - O'Sullivan's remarkable 127 break against Georgiou

• 'I'd rather be docked a frame' - O'Sullivan on being mentally prepared for matches
• 'Ferrari' O’Sullivan goes through the gears to dispose of Georgiou

"I should be meditating 20 minutes ago but I wasn't. I knew I would be like a rabbit in the headlights. So I tried to stay in the match for as long as I could settle.

"I was over in the kebab shop with my friends, having a good time, putting the world to rights and thought, 'I better go now', as the previous match had finished.

"I'd rather be late for the match in fact and miss the first frame," he added, trying to explain his predicament.

"I'd rather be 1-0 down in a good place than 0-0 and thinking, 'I want to smash my cue into 100 pieces and go home'.

'If I've been waiting, I won't want to play' - O'Sullivan on mental state before matches

"Ah, I got to finish the kebab and had the baklava, too. It was a long lunch.

"You don't want too much of the baklava due to the sugar factor, but I have earned it. I have been training hard.

"Listen, I felt for Michael, it was hard for him. I don't want to gloat too much. I played well. Unfortunately for him he didn't capitalise after the first frame."

O'Sullivan is in action again on Thursday as he takes on Anthony Hamilton in the afternoon session with a host of other big names in action.

- - -

Stream the English Open snooker live and on demand on discovery+

World Championship

What does O'Sullivan need to achieve at the Crucible to stay world No. 1?

Yesterday at 08:39

World Championship

O’Sullivan and White's Crucible memories - 'Something from the gods'

22/04/2024 at 07:52

World Championship

O’Sullivan’s 'extra gear' makes him favourite for Crucible glory - White

20/04/2024 at 19:51