New snooker skilled Antoni Kowalski believes Ronnie O’Sullivan is the best ever however questions his respect of the opposite gamers on the circuit.
The 20 year-old from Poland graduated to the World Snooker Tour for the primary time in his profession by coming by Q Faculty in Might and June.
Kowalski had already been an rising menace on the worldwide newbie scene for a number of years, dropping in each the finals of IBSF World Below-21 Championship and the EBSA European Below-21 Championship to Liam Davies.
In 2023, the then teenager demonstrated his capabilities additional by successful a match on the feeder Q Tour.
However having triumphed at Q Faculty the place he beat the likes of James Cahill, Kowalski will now have the chance to compete with the perfect that the sport has to supply for the following couple of campaigns.
One participant who many will already be hoping he will get paired with sooner or later will likely be O’Sullivan, who Kowalski labeled as “conceited” in an interview with Metro final month.
And it’s robust character traits that Kowalski, from Zielona Góra, appears for when figuring out his favorite snooker gamers.
“I used to be fortunate sufficient to satisfy Shaun and Mark Selby once I was six or seven years outdated – they have been the primary professionals I met,” Antoni Kowalski stated on the Frames Snooker Podcast.
“They got here to my residence metropolis for an exhibition, and I used to be not rating gamers degree clever or snooker clever. I used to be rating them as characters and the way good of an individual they have been.”
“Shaun is a superb individual and different guys like John Higgins – I met him a few years later.
“Within the different interviews, the interviewer requested me about Ronnie as a result of I additionally stated about Shaun and John.
“He stated I didn’t point out about Ronnie and that I’m the primary individual he is aware of that didn’t point out Ronnie.
“I don’t like Ronnie for his character, simply because typically he lacks the respect. That’s it. I don’t have something in opposition to Ronnie, simply to be clear.
“He’s the best ever to play snooker, after all. However speaking about numpties a few years again – I’d by no means do this and I don’t see another participant doing that.
“That’s simply it. Aside from that, I don’t have something in opposition to him. If it’s doable, I’ll inform him straight to his face and we are able to develop into pals.”
Kowalski has already performed his first match as an expert, taking part in Championship League Snooker behind closed doorways in Leicester.
He gave a good account of himself on his debut, recording three attracts from his three round-robin fixtures in opposition to Jak Jones, Jordan Brown, and Révész Bulcsú.
However such is his degree of self perception, Kowalski was dissatisfied to not make it out of the primary stage within the competitors.
“The dream is clearly to be world primary and world champion, however we’ll see the way it goes. I’m simply going to attempt to play my greatest sport and time will inform.”
“It’s the identical sport of snooker, the identical tables. It’s simply the organisation is extra skilled.
“I nonetheless must play my snooker and others guys are taking part in their snooker. It’s the identical for me.
“I’m not evaluating myself to the opposite gamers as a rookie. I’m there to win, and I’m not going to again over simply because I’m taking part in Jak Jones, the World Championship runner-up.
“If I’m there to play Ronnie or anybody, I’m there to win. I’m there to win all of the matches. I’m there to win all of the tournaments.
“Actually, I don’t know why I ought to really feel stress or the strain on our degree, since you’re taking part in the sport. You understand how to play.
“You’re taking part in the sport you like to play, so why must you be harassed? At all times there’s somebody watching, the desk is all the time sq. with spherical balls.
“The material is typically totally different, however every little thing is similar all the time, so why must you be harassed? You’re taking part in the sport you like.”
Antoni Kowalski will subsequent be in motion later in July when he encounters Judd Trump within the Xi-an Grand Prix qualifiers.
Featured picture credit score: WST
