Veteran snooker star describes O’Sullivan as ‘very aggressive’ both on and off the table

Dominic Dale, a seasoned snooker professional, has confessed that the only player who has ever truly intimidated him during a match is the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan. Known as the Rocket, O’Sullivan’s formidable presence is felt both in his aggressive playing style and his demeanor off the table.

Both Dale and O’Sullivan embarked on their professional snooker journeys in 1992. While O’Sullivan has undeniably carved out a more illustrious career, boasting achievements that surpass those of any other player in the sport, Dale has also enjoyed a commendable run, securing two ranking titles and reaching a career-high ranking of 19 in the world.

Their professional rivalry began in the 1993 World Championship qualifiers, with O’Sullivan dominating their encounters by winning 11 out of the 12 matches they’ve played. Dale admits that facing O’Sullivan can be daunting, attributing this to O’Sullivan’s ability to make challenging games appear insurmountable and his capacity to rapidly rack up high scores. Dale shared his experiences on the Snooker Scene podcast, emphasizing that O’Sullivan’s intimidating presence extends beyond his impressive skills to his overall character.

Reflecting on his matches against O’Sullivan, Dale noted how easily the Rocket can turn the tide of a game, making it difficult to keep pace. The psychological impact of O’Sullivan’s game is such that even simple shots become more challenging under pressure. Dale mentioned that it took him years to overcome the psychological hurdle of playing against O’Sullivan, finally managing to focus on the game rather than the person in recent matches.

At 53, Dale is preparing to retire at the season’s end, concluding a distinguished 33-year career. As he approaches retirement, he offers advice to younger players who may face O’Sullivan, encouraging them to appreciate the opportunity to play against such a notable figure. Dale suggests that viewing the experience as a privilege can enhance performance. He also advises young players to savor the extraordinary atmosphere that O’Sullivan attracts, even if the crowd’s support is largely in favor of the Rocket.

Dale’s final professional appearance will be at the World Championship, where he will compete in the qualifiers. Meanwhile, O’Sullivan is expected to participate as a seed, should he decide to enter the tournament after withdrawing from several events earlier in the season.