Ronnie O'Sullivan demanded a new black ball during a match in China: what happened.

The need for a new black ball during the match

According to The Sun: Ronnie O'Sullivan demanded a new black ball during his match against Jack Jones at the China Grand Prix.

He was leading 59-0 in the first frame of the 1/8 finals in China when he noticed an issue with the ball while preparing to strike.

TNT Sports

O'Sullivan was 'unhappy' during his 5-2 victory over Jones, as he complained about the black ball.

While making his shot, he immediately complained to the referees, pointing at the ball and gesturing his discontent.

The referee took the black ball to inspect it while the veteran actively communicated with him.

Ultimately, the seven-time world champion decided to use the ball until the end of the frame but insisted on a new one afterward.

“I will use it now. Tell them to use it now. And then give me a new one,” he said.

TNT Sports commentator Philip Stead expressed his assumptions regarding the issue with the ball, noting that O'Sullivan was “unhappy.”

“Once again, O'Sullivan is not satisfied with the black ball. Perhaps it has a very slight dent, I’m not sure. Maybe they will replace it,” he remarked.

When play resumed, his fellow commentator Fergus O'Brien added: “Yes, he is indeed not happy with the black ball. But he just said he would let them process these balls first, and then change for the next frame, as always.”

“He’s not someone you can easily throw off his rhythm, is he, O'Sullivan? Everything has to be perfect,” Stead added.

O'Sullivan ultimately won against Jones with a score of 5-2, allowing him to advance to the quarter-finals against Gary Wilson.

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Aiming for victory at the China Grand Prix

The 49-year-old athlete aims to break a 21-month winless streak in ranking tournaments by winning the China Grand Prix. He reached the semi-finals of this competition last year.

Before his victory over Jones, he expressed the view that he cannot allow his fortunes to interfere with him.

“I feel like I have been playing great all season. But, as I always say, this game has a way of humbling you. I am very, very pleased with my game, but in two, three, four weeks or two months, I'll say: 'This game is really hard, really tough,'” he said.

“By no means should you take this game for granted, you must enjoy it while it's good, and when things aren’t going well – you just have to endure it and get through those periods,” he added.

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O'Sullivan will face Gary Wilson in the quarter-finals of the China Grand Prix. His goal now is to overcome the difficulties to achieve his first victory in a ranking tournament in a long time. This competition will be an important milestone in his career, and perhaps this is where he can return to the big stage.