‘You try it’ – Exasperated Ronnie O’Sullivan had fans in stitches with cheeky quip to referee in tense final

Ronnie O’Sullivan delivered a cheeky response to the referee during the snooker 2022 World Championship final. 

His opponent, Judd Trump, had left him with a challenging shot after a safety, presenting just the faintest glimpse of red in his line of sight.

In an attempt to confirm the situation, he called Trump over to check if he too could see the ball.

After missing and fouling, O’Sullivan vehemently insisted he should have been able to see the red ball down the table when the white was in position.

However, the referee was quite unimpressed with his persistent pleas to adjust the white further to his left.

The crowd erupted with laughter at the absurdity of the moment, especially as Trump was summoned multiple times for his thoughts.

O’Sullivan’s frustration with the referee was palpable, and at one point, he suggested with a grin that the referee should ‘have a go’ himself, much to the delight of the audience.

When the referee mentioned, “you can still flick the red on the left-hand side,” an exasperated O’Sullivan shot back, “You try it then!”

Ultimately, he refused to play the shot until he felt satisfied with the setup, but when the moment came, he expertly connected with the red and returned the white safely to the baulk cushion.

Despite his annoyed figure, O’Sullivan went on to beat Trump and win the World Championship.

It was not the first moment of drama in that particular tournament, as the 49-year-old took issue with a member of the crowd, who turned out to be a security guard. 

The Rocket expressed his frustration, saying the guard was moving around too much in his line of sight. 

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“He keeps shifting about, the security guard—just tell him to stay out of my eyeline,” O’Sullivan told the referee, who promptly waved and directed the individual accordingly.

After some time away from snooker, fans can soon see O’Sullivan back in action at the Crucible.

O’Sullivan has barely made an appearance during this season after withdrawing from multiple events, leading to his absence from the upcoming Players Championship and Tour Championship. 

This unfortunate turn of events means he will not compete again before the much-anticipated World Championship.

The season-ending event will take place in Sheffield between April 19 and May 5, and an appearance from the seven-time champion would mark a remarkable 33rd consecutive participation.

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As we edge closer to the tournament, just over a month remains, and O’Sullivan has hinted at a return to the arena once more.

Less than two weeks before the first round, the 49-year-old will engage in a coaching session alongside the 1995 world finalist Nigel Bond. 

Fans will have the delightful opportunity to witness this pair at O’Sullivan’s newly established snooker academy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 

Meanwhile, the event’s poster warmly invites fans to join O’Sullivan ‘during his preparation for the World Snooker Tour’, signalling a thrilling comeback for the world number four after a long hiatus since January’s Championship League. 

O’Sullivan had intended to compete in the last World Grand Prix but, regrettably, withdrew due to medical reasons.