Ronnie O’Sullivan responds to Reanne Evans question: Women ‘deserve’ professional snooker tour

Ronnie O’Sullivan has told Reanne Evans he wants to “help with a ladies’ tour” when he retires from professional snooker.

The Rocket fielded a question from the 12-time women’s world champion as part of Eurosport’s brand-new series, Voice Notes.

Evans asked: “I was wondering if you would get involved and support the women as a professional tour at some point in the future?”

While World Women’s Snooker (WWS) creates a pathway for elite female players to compete alongside O’Sullivan on the World Snooker Tour and in high-level amateur events, there is currently no professional tour for only women.

“She is a superstar,” began O’Sullivan in response to Evans.

“You shouldn’t have to play on the men’s tour week in, week out. You should be like the tennis and the golfers. You are great at what you do, all the girls are fantastic.

“I would love to be able to do something with you and the girls but while I am playing it is really hard.

“But I do have ambitions to stay in snooker for as long as I can, and when I am not playing I would definitely be looking to support snooker in any way and to help with a ladies’ tour – that would be fantastic.

“That is something we can chat about at some point and try to make it happen. You girls deserve it, you are great.

“A 12-time world champion – what a legend. I have only got seven, you have got 12. You are putting me to shame.”

Four players competed on the WST circuit this season: Evans, Mink Nutcharut, Ng On Yee and Rebecca Kenna.

However, Evans is set to lose her tour card after failing to qualify for the World Championship in Sheffield last week.

“The two years didn’t go to plan and [have] been very frustrating,” she wrote on social media.

“I’ve struggled to play to anywhere near how I can, or just enjoy it, but that’s life.”

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