Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Rival Refused Handshake After ‘Disrespectful’ Moment

Ronnie O'Sullivan was once snubbed for a handshake by an opponent who believed he was disrespectful in their 1996 World Championship encounter.

O'Sullivan is arguably the greatest snooker player of all time, winning seven world championships in his decorated career - a record he holds jointly with Stephen Hendry.

'The Rocket' is a one of a kind character with an almost unmatched level of showmanship and there are many examples of his creative approach riling up his opponents.

And 31 years ago, Alain Robidoux was left seething by O'Sullivan's antics - to the point where he refused to shake his hand afterwards.

The pair met in the first round at the Crucible in Sheffield, with O'Sullivan winning 10-3 to kick off a run to the semi-finals of the competition.

However, he irked Robidoux after switching and playing left-handed in the middle of the match when he led 8-2.

O'Sullivan, then 20, began playing shots with his left - showing off his ambidextrous qualities.

Ronnie O'Sullivan is able to play with both hands. Image: Getty

But Robidoux felt O'Sullivan was being arrogant in doing so, storming off after the game was done without a handshake as his opponent sipped on water.

"If he wants to do something like this, he's got to do it in exhibitions, not in a professional match," the Canadian said afterwards.

"When you do an exhibition you're allowed to do that but when you're playing in a professional match you shouldn't do that."

O'Sullivan defended his switch, explaining his decision and admitting he was not in any way bothered about a handshake not being offered.

"I played a bit left handed because I do that in practice anyway," he explained.

"Sometimes I don't feel like playing right handed, I play left handed for the day. It's just if I get bored and I was bored, so I thought I'll just play left handed.

"I'm not bothered, I'm glad he didn't shake my hand. If he wants to be like that."

O'Sullivan revealed apology from snooker star

O'Sullivan playing with his left as well as his favoured right hand became a signature move of his, finding an impressive fluidity which allowed him to choose depend on shots and positions.

The situation with Robidoux was far from the only time he decided to use his left in frames as he did the same against Peter Ebdon in a semi-final victory a year later, as well as against then-world champion Hendry in a final.

Years later, O'Sullivan reflected on the debacle and admitted that Robidoux issued an apology for being unaware of his ability to play with his left - with the two patching things up.

"I wish I had started playing left-handed sooner," O'Sullivan said in an interview with Eurosport.

"I was playing so poorly with my right hand that I should have switched. I knew that I could pot balls with my left hand. But I was aware that people might have thought I was taking the mickey.

"It just got to the point where I wish I had wished I had done it sooner because it was relaxing me. Alain didn't take it too well. I could understand that at the time. But once I started, it soon became acceptable.

"I won seven frames against Stephen Hendry playing with my left hand in a 10-8 win in the final. And he was world champion at the time. It was unfortunate for Alain, but he apologised to me a couple of years later and said he didn't realise I could play as well as with my left. I accepted his apology. And we were good friends after that."