An Open Letter from Ronnie O’Sullivan to Jimmy White, Snooker Fans, and the Entire Snooker Community
July 22, 2025
Dear Jimmy, dear fans, dear friends of snooker everywhere,
As I sit down to write this, it’s with a heart full of gratitude, admiration, and reflection. In the whirlwind of trophies, missed shots, roaring crowds, and quiet moments between the frames, there are people and memories that stay with you forever. This letter is for all of you — but especially for one man who’s been with me, and this sport, every step of the way: Jimmy White.
Jimmy, you are more than a snooker legend — you are its soul. I remember watching you as a kid, eyes glued to the telly, mesmerized by that whirlwind flair, that swagger, and that beautiful risk you brought to every shot. You didn’t just play snooker — you danced with it. And like millions of others, I fell in love with the game because of you.
You were fearless. You were heart. And no matter how many heartbreaks the game threw your way — and let’s be honest, you faced more than your fair share — you kept coming back. You taught us something deeper than sport. You taught us about resilience, about dignity in defeat, and about showing up, no matter the odds.
You never needed a world title to prove your greatness — because greatness, in your case, was never measured in trophies. It was measured in how people felt watching you play. And Jimmy, we felt everything.
To the fans, I want to say this: none of us — not me, not Jimmy, not anyone who’s ever lifted a cue — would have a career without you. Whether you packed the Crucible, stayed up till 2 a.m. watching qualifying rounds, or followed our every break on social media, you are the heartbeat of this game.
I’ve had my ups and downs — more than most. I’ve walked away and come back. I’ve played when I was lost, and I’ve won when I didn’t expect to. But through it all, you stood by me. Some of you cheered when I was flying, and some of you waited patiently when I was broken. That kind of support… it stays with you. It lifts you when nothing else can.
There were times I didn’t love the game. Times it felt like a cage more than a passion. But looking back now, I realise it was never the game that trapped me — it was the pressure, the expectation, sometimes even myself. And when I felt overwhelmed, I’d remember players like Jimmy — who never let bitterness win. Who kept playing, kept smiling, and kept believing. That inspired me more than I ever let on.
To the entire snooker community — the players, referees, tournament staff, journalists, coaches, and juniors coming up — thank you for keeping this beautiful game alive. In a world that changes faster every day, snooker remains one of the last sports where patience, focus, and artistry matter. That’s something sacred. Let’s never lose it.
There’s something magic about this game that draws us back — again and again — no matter how many times we fall. We don’t just come to snooker to win. We come to feel something real. And what we share — all of us — is deeper than sport.
Jimmy, I want you to know — whether you’re in the commentary box, coaching at the club, or just walking into the room with that grin of yours — your legacy is etched into the very DNA of snooker. You were the people’s champion, long before I was ever “The Rocket.” And if there’s any justice in sport, your name should be honoured at every World Championship to come. Maybe it’s time we renamed a trophy after you. Lord knows, you’ve earned it.
And to the fans — keep turning up. Keep cheering. Keep falling in love with this game again and again. Because for every 147 you see, there’s a story behind it. And in every frame played, someone is living their dream.
From the bottom of my heart — thank you. All of you.
With love and respect,
Ronnie O’Sullivan
(The Rocket)
