Ronnie O’Sullivan’s opponent slams world No1 for ‘disrespect’ but says ‘it’s not surprising given the things he does’

Ronnie O’Sullivan has been accused of “disrespect” by the player whose dreams of facing the world number one were dashed at the Scottish Open in Edinburgh.

The seven-time world champion withdrew from the event citing medical reasons just hours before he was scheduled to face 19-year-old Liam Graham in a first round match.

PAO’Sullivan was due on for the opener of the Scottish event in Edinburgh[/caption]

AFPBut hours before he withdrew citing medical reasons[/caption]

It left Graham frustrated ahead of his big break against the world No1Facebook

Graham criticised the timing of O’Sullivan’s decision, telling the Daily Record: “It’s disrespectful, it’s not right.

“A lot of people took time off work to come and watch today and it’s disappointing.

“It’s not surprising given the things he does.

“I found out when I got to the venue this morning. I didn’t have much prior warning – I think he pulled out very late.”

O’Sullivan, who won his record-extending eighth UK title in York earlier this month, has now withdrawn from five of eight ranking tournaments this season, not including the Snooker Shootout.

Last month, he pulled out from the Champion of Champions event in Bolton due to “mentally feeling a bit drained and stressed”.

It comes amid a time of tension between the player and World Snooker Tour chiefs over his desire to have the freedom to play in lucrative exhibitions in China.

In the wake of his final win over Ding Junhui in York, O’Sullivan insisted officials “seem to want me to hand my resignation in” – a claim flatly denied by WST.

Graham, who is in his first year as a professional, added: “At the end of the day I want to play the best players in the world and I was really looking forward to it.”

PAO’Sullivan defeated Ding Junhui to win the 2023 MrQ UK Championship at York last week[/caption]

Meanwhile John Higgins has opened up on his TikTok comedy sensation son.

Pierce and his pal Lewis Reid make up a comedy duo and have amassed almost four-million likes on their social media page, Jamaica Street, since it launched two years ago.

Higgins revealed: “I’m being truthfully honest, when I go out with him to the football or a meal it’s amazing how many people recognise him and not me!

“They maybe think, ‘I’ve seen this old guy before but I don’t know what he does’.

“But it’s unbelievable the amount of young people that recognise him because of TikTok or these different platforms.

“Him and his pal Lewis have been doing it for a couple of years and he’s also trying to get into the stand-up comedy scene in Scotland.

“He’s following his dream, that’s what I did when I was 16, 17, 18 into my early 20s and luckily enough it happened for me in snooker and I’d dearly love for it to happen with him as well.

“It’s what you’d love for all three of your kids.”