Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Guidance Sparks Wu Yize’s Breakthrough Moment
So let me walk you through this really inspiring story from the snooker world, because it’s one of those moments where experience, mentorship, and raw talent all come together at exactly the right time. Wu Yize, the young Chinese sensation who has been bubbling under the surface for a while now, finally broke through in spectacular fashion by winning his first ranking title at the International Championship. And interestingly, part of that success was shaped behind the scenes by none other than Ronnie O’Sullivan.
Wu, just 22, didn’t just win — he dominated. He beat some of the sport’s biggest names on his way to the title, including Judd Trump, Zhao Xintong, Barry Hawkins, Zhang Anda, and ultimately John Higgins in the final. Not only that, he slammed in 13 centuries over the course of the tournament. That kind of scoring power is what puts a player into the conversation of future greats, and Wu showed it with remarkable composure.
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But what really adds a deeper layer to this triumph is the role O’Sullivan played in it. Ronnie had been practicing with Wu in Hong Kong before the tournament and mentoring him throughout. And he wasn’t just giving light advice here and there — he was trying to pass on the same kind of wisdom he once received from Ray Reardon early in his own career. According to Ronnie, he pointed out very specific areas of Wu’s game that needed to evolve if he wanted to win not just when he was brilliant, but also on the days when things weren’t going smoothly.
He explained that certain aspects of match play are simply “non-negotiable” if a player wants to become a consistent winner. Wu, to his credit, took that onboard immediately. O’Sullivan said they were talking during and after nearly every match, and it was clear Wu was absorbing the lessons in real time. You could almost see the shift happening as the tournament progressed.
By lifting the trophy, Wu not only earned the £175,000 top prize, but he also shot up to world number 13 — and O’Sullivan believes this is just the beginning. He says Wu has the potential to dominate the sport, as long as he keeps the option of a steadier, more tactical style in his toolbox for those tougher moments. It’s not about changing who he is as a player, Ronnie says. It’s about having another gear when he needs it.
Even John Higgins, the runner-up, was impressed when he heard about O’Sullivan’s involvement. While Higgins himself isn’t keen on mentoring young players while still competing, he admitted that if anyone is worth learning from, it’s Ronnie.
And now, with Wu stepping into the UK Championship right after the biggest win of his career, it feels like we’re watching the rise of a major new force in the sport — one shaped partly by natural brilliance, and partly by the quiet guidance of one of the greatest ever to pick up a cue.
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