A FORMER pool world champion has given a major hint about Ronnie O’Sullivan’s future by revealing the snooker GOAT reached out to him for a game.
Chris Melling is a British pool icon, and the first player to be a simultaneous professional in , eight-ball and nine-ball pool.
Ronnie O’Sullivan could be set for a career change Credit: Getty
And amid his ongoing run at the UK Open Pool Championship this week, he had time to speak exclusively to SunSport, and revealed that The Rocket had reached out to him to sharpen his skills on the small table.
A number of snooker stars are competing at this week’s tournament, including former world champion Stuart Bingham and Worlds second-rounder Chris Wakelin.
But when asked how difficult it is to adapt from snooker to the competition’s 9-ball format, Melling said: “I’ll give you a prime example – actually texted me quite a while ago.
“Probably about 4 or 5 months ago, asking me to have a game with him, and play the Chinese pool and the American pool.
“He obviously knows that there’s more to it than just potting balls, it’s the jump shots, it’s the break, it’s the kick shots, it’s the tactical side.
“The potting the balls, they’re all going to be as good as anyone, but the other parts of the game they’re not going to be as good, just because of lack of experience.
“The more that they play, obviously, I think they’re going to become really dangerous.”
The Rocket has been open in the past about his consideration of a career change into pool, specifically Chinese eight-ball.
The rules of the game are the same as the English game, but it is played on a table that more closely resembles a snooker table, meaning more precision is needed to pot each ball.
The Rocket has been open about thinking of a career change into pool Credit: Getty
O’Sullivan said last year: “Chinese eight-ball is very, very popular now in China.
“Many players play in big tournaments in China, and for someone like me, when I finish playing snooker, then I will play Chinese eight-ball.
“It’s a big sport in Asia, especially China, so when I retire from snooker, I want to become world champion in Chinese eight-ball.”
But while he still contests his snooker career – having recently won the Senior World Snooker Championship just weeks after being ousted from the main event – O’Sullivan seems happy to keep his switch on the backburner.
Melling explained that the duo’s match never materialised in the end, but he is still holding out hope for a friendly game.
When asked if he had managed to show O’Sullivan a few tricks and tips on the table in the end, he added: “I haven’t, no, because he’s been over in Dubai and then he was in Hong Kong, and then obviously playing a lot of snooker.
“But I’m hoping to play him because he’s one of my heroes, obviously we’re similar ages, he’s a little bit older than me, but he’s the greatest player that’s ever played snooker.”
Chris Melling admitted it was great to meet stars like Jimmy White Credit: PA
Melling has even hosted Stephen Hendry on his YouTube Credit: Alamy
It wouldn’t be the first snooker legend that Melling had shown into the world of pool.
The 47-year-old started a YouTube channel earlier this year, and has already made a series of challenge videos across both sports with seven-time snooker world champ .
“I think it’s important to play people or get to know people. I’ve known Stephen for quite some time, for a few years, and obviously, I grew up watching him, one of the all-time greats without a shadow of a doubt.
“They say that you shouldn’t meet your heroes, and I’ve been fortunate that my heroes, I’ve met them all and they’ve all been great guys: , Ronnie O’Sullivan, Stephen Hendry, .
“So I think it’s important to get to know them, and my first video doing social media was with Hendry, and it went absolutely brilliant.
“I gave him some challenges on the English pool table, the Chinese pool table, the snooker table, and it was pretty close to be fair, and we were having a bit of banter as well. It’s awesome and I can’t wait to do it again.”
But for now all eyes are on the UK Open, where Melling stormed through his first two rounds with a 9-0 win over Patrick Mungiuri and a 9-5 comeback victory over Fabio Petroni.
The 128-strong tournament, held in Brentwood, Essex, will run until Sunday when a champion will be crowned and bag himself the grand prize of £40,000.
Eze Chidiebere Paul
I'm dedicated to creating high-quality content that informs, inspires, and delights. If you have any questions or suggestions, don't hesitate to get in touch. Happy reading!
