Ronnie O'Sullivan made thoughts clear on Zhao Xintong before snooker star's ban

Ronnie O'Sullivan has never been shy about praising talent when he sees it, and few players have captured his imagination quite like Zhao Xintong. Back in 2022, before Zhao's career was derailed by a betting scandal, likened the up-and-coming Chinese star to a young , one of all-time greats.

Speaking ahead of the 2022 Players Championship, 'The Rocket' , saying: "The last time I was this excited about a player was when I saw Stephen Hendry play when I was only about nine years old... Zhao is the only one since that made me think 'Wow, he could be something special'." He said Zhao reminded him of his own son, describing them as "a couple of handsome, good-looking boys" with a flair for the game, and later likened him to legend Roger Federer.

"He could be the greatest of all time with his talent, his ability," O'Sullivan admitted. "I always say he's Roger Federer with a snooker cue in his hands. He's like me, he's a quick learner."

The 49-year-old even tipped Zhao, then 24, to challenge for snooker's biggest records, including the seven world title record he shares with Hendry, as well as his eight Masters and crowns. "He's maybe the only one out there who could topple some of those," O'Sullivan said, pointing to his sensational potting ability and attacking style.

He claimed the youngster wasn't "unplayable", but insisted he could be if he "brushed up" on certain things. "Zhao can be as good as he wants to be, he has got the game in his hands," O'Sullivan continued.

Zhao's 2021 UK Championship win and his 9-0 demolition of Yan Bingtao in the 2022 German Masters final suggested O'Sullivan's tip had plenty of weight. However, his meteoric rise was abruptly halted in 2023 when he was embroiled in that rocked Chinese snooker.

The World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association charged Zhao with being involved in fixing two matches in March 2022 and betting on snooker matches between 2019 and 2022. He was handed a 20-month ban, which expired in September 2024, sidelining him from competitive play just as he was establishing himself as a top-tier talent.

The scandal, which also implicated nine other Chinese players, cast a shadow over Zhao's promising career. He has since expressed regret, telling the BBC: "Two years ago I made a little mistake... I know how important snooker is to me. These two years have been very long for me, I've practiced every day."

Now Zhao is back, and the at the Crucible offers him a chance at redemption - at least on the felt. After topping the Q Tour Europe rankings with four consecutive event wins, including two maximum 147 breaks, the now 28-year-old for the championship by beating Elliot Slessor 10-8.

As an amateur, he joins James Cahill and Michael White as only the third non-professional to compete at snooker's biggest event. His first-round opponent is Jak Jones, and victory there could set up a mouthwatering clash with World No. 1 Kyren Wilson in the second round.

O'Sullivan, meanwhile, faces Ali Carter, with either Zhang Anda or Pang Jungxu waiting for him in the last 16 if he advances. The earliest Zhao and O'Sullivan can meet is the semi-final stage, and while The Rocket would likely be favourite to win, Hendry himself has that Zhao is a player "no one would relish facing", not even someone going in search of a record eighth world title.