Man of the Decade - Ronnie O'Sullivan
Last Updated: 21/12/09 7:02pm
Ronnie O'Sullivan
Probably the most naturally gifted player ever to pick up a cue, Ronnie O'Sullivan has everything to make him a sporting legend - the skill, the style of play, and the sometimes flawed character that keeps fans and commentators alike on the edge of their seat.
On the green baize, O'Sullivan has been brilliant at times, but such is his nature he has struggled with his own demons making for inconsistent performances. Should he have been born with Stephen Hendry's temperament for example he could well have dominated like no-one before him.
'The Rocket' has still had a brilliant decade results-wise, claiming the World Championship three times at the Crucible, along with a plethora of other titles including two UK Championships and one Grand Prix.
The Masters is a special tournament for him, and he has won it twice, while the Premier League has been won by him seven times and he has spent half the decade as world number one in the rankings.
O'Sullivan has threatened to walk away from snooker a number of times with his frustration with himself and the authorities - notably in December 2006 when he conceded a UK Championship match against Stephen Hendry in just the sixth of 17 frames.
O'Sullivan just walked out saying he had had enough and was later fined £20,000 and docked 900 ranking points for his actions. And worse was to come in 2008 when he was heard making lewd comments at a China Open press conference, which cost him more ranking points and prize money.
When on form though, O'Sullivan is a sight to behold, and he has now developed his left-handed shots so much that he can truly play the game with both hands - a remarkable feat from our man of the decade.
