RONNIE SULLIVAN will try to become a professional snooker player this month – and his dream is to face RONNIE O’SULLIVAN.
Over the next week, the part-time cueist from South London will be at Leicester’s Mattioli Arena, attempting to earn a two-year World Tour card.
Sullivan, 20, was not named after the seven-time world champion and says his favourite players are Scotsman and Australian hero
But should he qualify for the pro ranks – he has to win six matches in a row, all of which are the best of seven frames – then he would love to battle the on equal terms next season.
And hopefully a clash would silence those on social media who reckon he is a CON ARTIST due to the surname similarities!
Sullivan told SunSport: “It’s a complete coincidence. My dad only realised when I was born, a couple of days or weeks after he named me Ronnie, about the link.
“I’ve seen a picture of my mum in hospital with me, after I was born, and the was on the TV in the background.
“I’m not sure what the tournament was. Ronnie could have been playing!
“My dad had two names to pick, Ronnie and Ozzy, which is my brother’s name. Funnily enough I didn’t start playing snooker until I was 12 years old.
“Ronnie is not my hero. I like , because of how much a winner he was, and Neil Robertson.
“I get a bit of attention for my name. I’d rather have attention for my playing abilities than that. It’s swings and roundabouts.
“I’ve had a lot of people text me on over the years, saying: ‘You’re a scam, you’re not Ronnie O’Sullivan, you’re a fake account.’ It never ends.
“It gets so boring. ‘You have the same name as Ronnie but without the O.’ Leave me alone. Let me get on with it.
“I hope I can play Ronnie before he retires. That would be unreal. It’d definitely put bums on seats. The referee would have to call us Ronnie 1 , Ronnie 2.”;;
Sullivan – born in November 2004, the year that O’Sullivan won his second of seven Crucible crowns – has met the GOAT of potting before.
But the pair spent more time talking about than the intricacies of the sport they both play, albeit to different levels.
He said: “I’ve met Ronnie on a few occasions. We talked for a good half an hour or hour. Not about snooker once.
“We are similar in that we don’t like to talk about the game. We like a break from it.
“We had a little bit of a laugh about our names but not a massive thing. We talked about boxing really.”;;
Sullivan studied sports and business at college and worked for JJ Antiques & House Clearance firm, clearing homes in Surrey and the South London area.
But he is looking for a sponsorship deal for this year, which would help him fulfil his dream of potting balls.
The amateur star, whose highest break is 145, faces fellow Englishman Jai Platts on Wednesday morning in round one of Event One of Q School.
He said: “I feel good. The last time I went there, I went for the experience. Since December, I’ve really got my s** together and practised full-time. Put the hours in.
Leave me alone. Let me get on with it.
Sullivan
“I had a few things off the table that weren’t going okay. I had a little break but have had a fresh start. I feel like a new player.
“The hard work has paid off. I’m confident with my game. It would be great to be professional.
“That would be a massive monkey off my back. I’ve put so much work into it. I’ve had more downs than ups in the game. I know I’m good enough.
“I feel I can prove something to myself and go and do it. It would mean a lot.
“I have always wanted to play snooker. My dad said it would be a waste of talent if I didn’t try to become professional. I hope I can play my best stuff at Q School.”;;
