Over the course of the World Championship I’ve challenged one snooker aficionado to highlight the best quirky, outlandish, unusual, laughable and questionable observations of each day.
As if to further enhance his (or her!) alter ego as snooker’s sleeper, this spy has elected to go through the tournament in disguise.
Read below for day five’s offering, but who is behind the Free Ball?
“Walk on, walk on..”
By Free Ball
I was highly disappointed seeing Ronnie O’Sullivan walking out for his first session at this year’s Worlds. The final tucking in of the shirt. The thumb going up to salute the crowd. The anticipation in the pit of my stomach for the greatest player the sport has ever had. All present and correct. So what’s my gripe today?
The walk on music. The piece of Chinese music, interpreted as “A man should better himself”, has been reported as being motivational for the player. Well that’s all very nice, but between the delicate nature of the music and the delirium of expectant fans, he may as well walk on to, well, nothing.
Ronnie being interviewed last week on radio was offered a new walk-on, to be suggested by the listeners. The obligatory suggestion of “Rocket Man” was thankfully rebuffed, and it was decided to select “The Changing Man” By Paul Weller. Now I’m no Mod, but this is a good track and somewhat appropriate. But no; delicate Chinese strings prevailed.
Some of the walk-ons are great. I particularly like Mark Allen appearing to “Turn Down for What” and Stephen Maguire’s “Here I Go Again”. Kurt Maflin’s presence is perfect for “Smells Like Teen Spirit”.
Here are a few suggestions for some of the players:
Neil Robertson – Give me Some Emotion, by Webster Lewis.
Judd Trump – The Ace of Spades, by Motorhead.
Mark Selby – Shake it Off, by Mariah Carey.
Ryan Day – The Emperor’s Theme (Star Wars), by John Williams.
Ronnie O’Sullivan – Footloose, by Kenny Loggins.
