During the World Open qualifying victory over Alfie Burden, Ronni O’Sullivan takes off his shoes.
In the fourth frame of his World Open qualifying match against Alfie Burden, Ronnie O’Sullivan took off his shoes.
The World Open qualifying match between Ronnie O’Sullivan and Alfie Burden was postponed because the Rocket removed his shoes during their battle. The most recent winner of the Masters and World Grand Prix dropped the fourth set and was about to break off in the fifth, but she instigated an improbable break in play.
With a break of 57, Burden leveled the score at 2-2 after O’Sullivan was unable to advance past his opening 44. The Rocket then took his time getting back to the table, delaying the fluid match until the Rocket put his shoes back on to end it.
When O’Sullivan took off his shoes—which are very different from the customary dress shoes that snooker players frequently wear during matches—his opponent was mid-break.
Due to a foot injury, the 48-year-old has been playing instead with black trainers. “I’ve got plantar fasciitis which is, the easiest way to explain it is, it’s like a bruise on your heel,” he stated in November. Consequently, it hurts a lot to plant your foot. My feet just get destroyed by shoes with leather soles. In order to essentially give my foot a break, I’ve got to resort to putting some extremely large old soles on them.”
Due to his injuries, O’Sullivan needs special permission to wear his trainers over formal shoes, but it’s unlikely that the World Snooker Tour (WST) has approved of the legend completely taking off his shoes.
Since the WST’s regulations stipulate that “formal shoes that must not expose the feet and of a style that is befitting whilst wearing a Dress or Lounge suit, constructed with a traditional heel profile and dress soles (commando or lug soles are not permitted),” O’Sullivan has received special permission from the organization to wear his trainers.
