Hossein Vafai has called on Ronnie O’Sullivan to retire from snooker and now the Iranian has explained why he hated his opponent in the last 16 of the Crucible World Championship.

Ronnie O’SullivanPhoto: Mark Stephenson / Zuma Press / Profimedia

Ronnie O’Sullivan made Hossein Wafai the worse man

The 28-year-old “Prince of Persia” claimed that O’Sullivan was his idol, but that changed when he realized that he had started to borrow the Rocket’s bad habits.

“If they beat me 13-0 it doesn’t matter, the pressure isn’t on me. I conquered the hearts of the fans. He can beat me, and that would be fine for him, given what he’s done in snooker. But in life, how you treat people is more important, who is better is more important

He was my hero and when you have a hero you want to be just like him. I began to treat those around me with contempt, my family. I prefer not to say more. Once I stopped idolizing him, I became a better person, I learned what respect is.

There are so many kids who follow us and want to be like us. I don’t want them to learn to despise their family. Snooker is about respect, that’s what it’s all about. We don’t box” – Hossein Vafaei for Eurosport.

In the WC Snooker 2023 first round, Ronnie O’Sullivan beat Pan Junxiu (10-7) and Hossein Wafaei edged out Dean Junhui (10-6).

>> Ronnie O’Sullivan’s unexpected reaction to an opponent’s request to quit snooker

Ronnie O’Sullivan v Hossein Vafai, 2-1 in straight games

2019 English Open (round of 16): 4-1 to O’Sullivan

2021 World Grand Prix (round of 16): 4-1 for O’Sullivan

German Masters 2021 (Qualification): 5-0 in favor of Vafai.

Matches known from the eighth CM Snooker 2023

Ronnie O’Sullivan (1) – Hossein Vafai / April 21, 22, 23

Luca Bresel (9) – Mark Williams (8) / April 20, 21

Mark Allen (3) – Stuart Bingham (14) / April 20, 21, 22

Jack Jones – Neil Robertson (6) / April 21, 22

They will take place on Tuesday, April 18, at the Snooker World Cup in the Crucible

From 12:00 / Jack Lisowski (13) – Noppon Saengkham (32)

From 12:00, then from 21:00 / Gary Wilson (16) – Elliot Slessor (60)

From 16:30 / Judd Trump (5) – Anthony McGill (21)

From 16:30 / John Higgins (11) – David Grace (66), score 7-2

From 21:00 / Robert Milkins (14) – Joe Perry (31)

*The World Snooker Championship in Romania is broadcast live on Eurosport

How to play at the World Snooker Championship

  • First round matches will be played on a best of 19 frames basis. The second round will be best of 25 frames, the same as the quarters.
  • In the semi-finals, the winner will be determined by the “best of 33 shots” system. Finally, in the grand final, the winner will be decided after the “best of 35 frames”.

How it will be in the final

  • There will be 8 frames in the first session of the final. The second session will consist of 9 frames, the third will consist of 8 frames. Finally, the final session will have a maximum of 10 frames (may or may not all be played, depending on the score on the table).

How money is distributed for CM Snooker 2023

Winner: £500,000

Second place: £200,000

Semi-Final: £100,000

Quarters: £50,000

Second round: £30,000

First round: £20,000.

You can read the full presentation of the World Snooker Championship here.