Snooker fans are set to get a behind the scenes look at Ronnie O'Sullivan's record-breaking World Championship win last year.
A new documentary is approaching its release date, with The Rocket watching a rough edit of the film on Monday. Entitled RONNIE, the documentary followed O'Sullivan both on and off the baize to give fans an insight into the life of the snooker legend.
It is currently slated for a summer release date, with O'Sullivan now watching it for the first time as production steps up. The Rocket is currently attempting to defend his World Championship crown at the Crucible to win an eighth title.
He was followed by the cameras as he won the seventh World Championship of his career last year. They also filmed him in quieter moments at home with his fiancee Laila Rouass, as well as walking his dogs.
O'Sullivan has joked that the snooker gods were looking down on him as he surged to a World Championship in front of the cameras. Producers still need to cut 15 minutes off the running time, with The Rocket preparing to view it for the first time.
“Those snooker gods, their timing is unbelievable — seriously, I believe in them. Last year I hit fire at the right time and the crew were here. The stars were written for me. They have been ever since I was a kid, regarding this game," he said.
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“Who could have written that? A film crew following you around for a season and you win a seventh world championship at 46? I’m going to watch it on Monday for the first time. It’s the first time they have let me see it — I hope I don’t hate it!
“But I know they have done a great job on it — the people involved are proper people. So, they can make anyone look good. It’ll be in some ways the definitive film of my life. Everyone has always been intrigued by me.
“I want people to go away from watching it thinking that I’m a winner. It is all I have ever wanted to do. I’ve tried my hardest all my life to compete and be the best I can be, to give my whole life to snooker. I love it so much. I’m grateful for what it has done for me."
O'Sullivan struggled to a 10-7 win over Pang Junxu in the first round of this year's World Championships on Saturday. The Rocket had been struggling with illness, with the Englishman keen to put his struggles behind him in the second round.
"I felt shaky, heavy and desperate. I just wanted to get over the line. Sometimes you have to get through those situations. I've got a bit of a bug. It feels like glandular fever, which I had a long time ago," he said.
"It just saps all the energy out of you but you fight - it's a World Championship isn't it? I'm relieved it's over. My legs and limbs have gone. I was so desperate to get over the line in every frame. I am so tired and I can't wait to get back to my bed."
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