Ronnie O'Sullivan's attitude has often been questioned throughout his decorated snooker career, but there can be no disputing his classy act of sportsmanship at the World Snooker Championship.
The Londoner is firmly in contention for a record eighth world title having lost the final to Luca Brecel 12 months ago, battling 2015 champion Stuart Bingham in the quarter-finals.
The pair are tightly contested in their race to 13 frames, with Jak Jones - who stunned world number two Judd Trump earlier in the day - awaiting the winner in the final four.
O'Sullivan had held a 6-5 advantage before his classy decision allowed Bingham the opportunity to return to the table and level things up.
Ronnie O'Sullivan Hailed For 'Greatest Bit Of Sportsmanship'
The 48-year-old had an opportunity to take firm control of the 12th frame with an easy shot at red available for him to pot.
However, he intentionally passed up the chance when he felt that the neighbouring black ball had not been correctly replaced on its spot.
The black ball was not initially in its correct position prompting the referee to reset it, but a visibly perplexed O'Sullivan believed it had been reset too favourably for him.
Rather than taking the unobstructed shot and likely the frame with it, O'Sullivan played a needless safety shot and in doing so afforded Bingham the chance to return to the table.
"I just don't feel good about it..."
Ronnie O'Sullivan shows great sportsmanship to Stuart Bingham after some doubt around a black ball respot ⚫#CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/loIxbiv6cs— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 1, 2024
The gesture drew a strong applause from the crowd at The Crucible in Sheffield as well as former players and fans on social media.
Speaking on the BBC, 2010 champion Neil Robertson labelled it 'one of the greatest' acts of sportsmanship he has ever seen.
'He played safe even though he could pot the red... It's unbelievable," he said
"This is probably one of the greatest bits of sportsmanship I have ever seen in any sport. That's incredible.
"I've never seen anything like that before."
Ronnie costing himself a frame with the best bit of sportsmanship of a generation 👏👏👏#WorldSnookerChampionship
— Joe Astley (@jastleyofficial) May 1, 2024
Incredible show of sportsmanship from Ronnie
When he was leading 6-5
Refused to play an easy red because he believed black wasn’t spotted properly
Will be talked about
Like refusing to take a disputed penalty!! pic.twitter.com/F7zD59Jb9A— Ozan Korman Tarman (@ozanktarman) May 1, 2024
Just seen Ronnie O’Sullivan with one of the greatest piece of sportsmanship I have ever seen in world sports 👏🏻
— Rusty B 🎭 (@StretfordEnd_10) May 1, 2024
"Some of the referees, I think they’ve got it in for me, so I wanted to prove to her she’s got it wrong,’ O’Sullivan told Eurosport afterwards.
"Then I didn’t feel good about having to pot the ball after that. I just wanted to make the point and the point was made.
"I’m not that hungry to win in that way. I’m more of a principles person, so once the principle’s been made, I can sleep at night."
"I just wanted to make a point... point was made." 🤷♂️
Ronnie O'Sullivan talks to Rachel Casey about the 𝙘𝙤𝙣𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙨𝙞𝙖𝙡 respotted black ball in his match against Stuart Bingham ⚫👀#CazooWorldChampionship pic.twitter.com/QcPlm1aOdY— Eurosport (@eurosport) May 1, 2024
A brilliant gesture from biggest name in the sport.
O'Sullivan and Bingham went into Wednesday's action tied at 4-4, with 'The Rocket' struggling to get into gear and falling 3-1 behind.
He would win three of the next four to get back into the contest, before finding better form in Wednesday's session.
