In Ronnie O’Sullivan’s new behind-the-scenes documentary, the legend thanks the “snooker gods” for making it a thriller
With a large bucket of popcorn on his lap, Ronnie O’Sullivan will be watching a rough draft of his upcoming documentary for the first time on Monday.
And The Rocket hopes the forthcoming film will be the “definitive” account of his amazing life on and off the carpet.
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O’Sullivan, 47, was followed by a camera crew 12 months ago as he claimed a record-breaking seventh world title at the Crucible.
They were also present during the quieter, less hectic moments at his home with fiancé Laila Rouass while they walked his dogs and jogged in Epping Forest.
The unfinished production, titled RONNIE, is slated for release this summer and producers say it will tell “his incredible story.”
O’Sullivan said: “These snooker gods, their timing is incredible – seriously, I believe in them.
“Last year I caught fire at the right time and the crew was here. The stars were written for me. Ever since I was a kid they have been in relation to this game.
“Who could have written that? A film crew accompanies you for a season and you win the seventh world championship at 46?
“I will see it for the first time on Monday.
“We’ve got it down to two hours now, and apparently it has to be an hour and 45 minutes.
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“It’s the first time they’ve let me see this – I hope I don’t hate it!
“But I know they did a great job – the people involved are real people. This is how they can make everyone look good.
“It has changed from what they thought. But that’s always the case when you make a documentary.
“It’s going to be the definitive film of my life in a way. Everyone has always been fascinated by me.”
O’Sullivan joked he was glad the crew wasn’t there to document his disjointed 10-7 first-round win over qualifier Pang Junxu on Saturday as he was suffering from a virus.
His highest break was just 82 – and it was the first match at the Crucible since the 2013 semifinals that O’Sullivan hadn’t managed to grab at least a century break.
He added, “I read what people write and sometimes I think, ‘Is this really about me?’
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“Like someone said, ‘Love him, hate him, whatever. . . It’s the Ronnie show.
“But I just don’t get it. I come in and do my job, I hit balls.
“I’m like, ‘Really, am I arousing that much interest? Good and bad’. It is strange.
“Well, maybe it’s going to be a final thing.
“I want people to walk away from this and think I’m a winner. It’s everything I ever wanted to do.
“I’ve done my best all my life to compete and be the best I can be to dedicate my life to snooker. i love it so much I am thankful for what it has done for me.
“It has given me an amazing life with amazing moments. I was the most successful player next to Stephen Hendry.”