Ronnie O’Sullivan posts incredible throwback picture with Zhao Xintong as a child with classy seven-word message

RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has shared a throwback to his first meeting with Zhao Xintong – hours after the Chinese star knocked him out of the World Championship.

The Rocket was outplayed by Zhao at the Crucible and

Ronnie O’Sullivan has been praised for his grace after defeat to Zhao XintongThe Rocket posted an incredible throwback picture alongside his rival after the loss

was targeting an unlikely eighth world title in South Yorkshire.

The 49-year-old only decided to play in the tournament the day before his first round match.

But his brace run was ended in the semi-finals by The Cyclone, 28, who in the rout.

Zhao has described O’Sullivan as his sporting hero, and .

Taking the tough loss in good grace, O’Sullivan posted a throwback of the pair’s first meeting on X.

The snap showed a young Zhao posing with The Rocket, who captioned the photo: “How it started vs how it’s going.”;

Fans were quick to respond, with one writing: “What a post from the GOAT.”;

Another said: “Massive respect for the grace you’ve shown.”;

While a third added: “The greatest of all time. Some pictures have priceless value.”;

O’Sullivan was criticised by former world champion in the wake of his loss on Friday.

The Aussie was left baffled by midway through the semi-final.

O’Sullivan has been over the past few months, with the World Championship his first tournament since January.

He has now confirmed he will be and starting a new life in the Middle East.

O’Sullivan said: “There’s going to be a few changes in my life, so I’ll see how that goes.

“I think I’m going to be moving out of the UK as well this year.

“So I don’t know how that’s all going to pan out, to be honest with you.

“I’m going to start a new life somewhere else. I’ll still try to playsnookerbut I don’t know what the future looks like for me really.

“Am I not playing again? I’m not saying anything. I’ve said it so many times.

“I’m not saying anything other than I’m moving away soon.

“There’s a lot more important things in life to worry about than a game of snooker.”;