Ronnie O'Sullivan, the five-time world champion, is one of the best pool players I have ever seen.
O'Sullivan, the young sports prodigy, was heading to the top, but faced many hurdles along the way, including dealing with his father in prison for murder and drug addiction.
Known as 'Rocket' Ronnie due to his playing speed, O'Sullivan has played in over 280 championships with a number of controversies along the way.
What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's background?
As a young man, a West Midlands man was a marvel with a stick in his hands.
He made his first leap of the century at the age of 10 and became a British Under-16 champion at the age of 13.
From there, it became clear that O'Sullivan was destined for great things when he became a professional at the age of 16.
Over the years, he has produced moments of pure magic and forged fierce sports competitions with the likes of Stephen Hendry.
He fell in love with the game as he ended up working on a pig farm and had to deal with his father in prison for murder.
What has Ronnie said about his father?
Rooney's father, also Ronnie, was imprisoned in 1992 for the brutal murder of Bruce Bryan, the driver of Charlie Cray, brother of gangsters Ronnie and Reggie while fighting at a nightclub in Chelsea.
However, Rooney defended his father saying, “He was a very generous person and some people took this kindness as weakness and played with it. That was his downfall.
“The loyalty I felt towards my father ... I will do what he asks of me.
“My dad used to say it was like a visit to him when he saw me on TV. I thought, 'Damn it, this must be the most important thing, and it will continue.
"So I knew I couldn't give up, even though I hated it. I couldn't deprive my father of it."
What is Ronnie's professional record?
Throughout his illustrious career, Rooney has appeared in over 280 professional tournaments and has an impressive record.
He has won more than 50 championships and reached the final less than 90 times.
Rooney reached the 37th semifinals and 54th quarter-finals and was ranked first in the world five times.
What were his most controversial moments?
Rooney's life would not seem out of place in an award-winning novel.
In 1996, at the same tournament in which Rooney was criticized for "bragging" after playing, he was alleged to have hit the head with Michael Janley, the press assistant at the time.
He was fined £ 20,000 and suspended for two years
In 2006, Stephen Hendry succeeded him, he ran out of office after being put in black.
Missing the red, O'Sullivan left his opponent in bewilderment when he shook hands with Hendry and the referee before leaving. He was fined £ 20,800.
In 1998, Rooney was stripped of the Irish Master's title after hemp was in his system.
At the 2016 Welsh Open, O'Sullivan turned down the opportunity to take a maximum breather, describing the £ 10,000 prize money offered as "too cheap".
When was Ronnie given an OBE?
Rooney was awarded the OBE New Year Medal with Honors in 2015 for the role he played in a game of pool.
He received his award from Prince Charles in May of the following year with his partner, Leila Rawas.
However, he said two years ago it would be a "shame" to receive a tribute to his controversial past.
How many books has Ronnie O'Sullivan written?
He has authored three books in total, the most recent of which is a novel entitled Framed, which he released in November 2016
It is about a man named Frankie James whose mother has disappeared, his father was in prison, and he owed money to swimming club SoHo which he inherited from one of the most powerful gangsters in London. He revealed that the book was based on events from its inception.
Rooney has also written two autobiographies, titled Running (2013) and Ronnie (2003).
What is Ronnie O'Sullivan's net worth?
Since beginning his career in 1992, Rooney has won £ 8.5 million in prize money.
His most successful year came in the year 2000, at which time he earned £ 684,130.
But overall, her net worth is believed to be around £ 32 million.
Is Ronnie married? Who's his wife?
Rooney has three children from a two-year relationship with Sally Magnus and two children from a relationship with Joe Langley.
However, she is now settled with former Strictly Come, Dancing contestant, Laila Rawas.
The couple got engaged in 2013 but are not yet married.
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