O'sullivan Apologises For Rocket Blast

Apr 20 2008 By Ian Gilmour

RONNIE O'SULLIVAN has apologised for his lewd comments during a media conference at last month's China Open.

The 32-year-old's outburst, made after his loss to Marco Fu, is to be reviewed by the World Snooker disciplinary panel.

O'Sullivan (left) who faces 17-year-old Liu Chuang in the first round of the World Championship at the Crucible today, said: "I was upset with myself because everything I did was the exact opposite of what my dad had taught me.

"I was there to socialise and network rather than win a tournament. Dad instilled in me how to be a winner. He would be embarrassed to know how unprofessional my approach was in China."

Last week, world champion John Higgins branded O'Sullivan "stupid" for making the sexually provocative comments in Beijing.

The Scot said: "I just thought he was really naive.

"You've got to be stupid to make those comments. However, Ronnie's not stupid when it comes to publicity."