Ronnie O’Sullivan exclusive: Snooker star reveals to Rio Ferdinand which sports star he calls ‘The Guv’nor’

Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Lionel Messi and Usain Bolt – four legendary sporting names but which one does Ronnie O’Sullivan describe as “The Guv’nor”?

The Rocket gave one of these feted athletes that coveted moniker after he was asked by Manchester United legend and BT Sport expert Rio Ferdinand who he looked up most across the sporting spectrum in Eurosport’s brand-new series, Voice Notes.

The new format will see fans, athletes, celebrities and more ask questions to their sporting heroes. O’Sullivan fielded questions from fans, plus a myriad of big names including Chris Froome, Reanne Evans and Raymond van Barneveld.

Watch the full first episode of Voice Notes on the Eurosport YouTube channel.

The Manchester United legend queried: “Outside of the world of snooker, which other athlete inspires you and why? Would there be any footballers in there?

O’Sullivan replied: “So it would be individual sports. The big one for me was Federer, now it’s Djokovic because he’s doing some fantastic things in his sport.

“In football, I would have to say Messi, I think he’s just ‘The Guv’nor’. You just watch him play, it’s something else – I think we all love Messi.

“So, I’m a big Lionel fan, a big Djokovic fan, Usain Bolt as well – he’s one of the kings, for me. I love all sport, really.”

O’Sullivan is in the final preparations for the defence of his world title, having had a mixed campaign as the world No. 1.

He has won two invitational tournaments, the Hong Kong Masters and Champion of Champions, but has not gone beyond the quarter-finals at a ranking tournament.

The 47-year-old had tip problems at the Welsh Open but had his cue fixed ahead of the Six-Red World Championship in Thailand, where he lost to Ding Junhui in the last 16.

O’Sullivan has only defended his Crucible title once, in 2013 when he didn’t play for most of the season, only to taste World Championship glory for the second year running.

As is tradition, the defending champion will get the tournament underway at 10:00 UK time on Saturday and will conclude their match at 19:00 later on the opening day.

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