Ronnie O’Sullivan is the undoubted king of the baize. To many, he is the greatest snooker player who was ever lived. He’s also arguably the most charismatic and, at times, the most controversial too.
But there’s a part of O’Sullivan that believes he would have been more suited to be being king of the oche instead. The Rocket loves the party atmosphere that comes with watching darts, compared to the sedate atmosphere that is associated with snooker, where every cough and mobile that hasn’t been switched to silent can be heard.
O’Sullivan admitted as much in a blog for Eurosport back in 2015, when he said he would like to see snooker embrace the lively atmosphere of darts. He was writing after appearing at an exhibition event at a club in Portsmouth.
“The atmosphere at the club nights is something I thrive on. It is noisy, and there's a buzz in the air,” he said. “I was saying to my mate the other day that I should have been a darts player. I just love the noise.
“In fact, when I'm playing they get so noisy that the crowd start telling the noisier lot to keep quiet. I quickly tell them to make more noise. I like it, it's a buzz.
“Too much silence brings a tenseness that I don't like. Is it too late for me to take darts up? I think so, but I truly believe it's great to play in that atmosphere.”
Should snooker be played in a darts-like atmosphere? Have your say in the comments section below
A few weeks later, after attending the World Darts Championships at the Alexandra Palace, O’Sullivan tweeted on a similar theme: “The new rock stars are the dart players.” He then asked followers: “By the way who would go and watch a snooker match played in a darts atmosphere?”
After receiving a mixed response, O’Sullivan added: “Ok we will do one and see how it goes, I will play (Judd) Trump first and see if it’s what the public wants. I’d love to play in that atmosphere, and anyone who can’t, go home.”
O’Sullivan is currently taking on Trump in the final of the World Snooker Championships at the Crucible. Leading 12-5 going into day two, The Rocket is on course to secure his seventh world title, matching the record set by Stephen Hendry.
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