18 February 2023 , 22:50
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Welsh snooker player Daniel Wells has slammed Ronnie O'Sullivan after the icon said he "was not good enough" to get a main tour card.
Wells' career took a cruel turn during the Covid-19 pandemic, before which he was ranked No 52 in the world. After testing positive for the virus, the Neath-born player missed events and then never regained form, and lost his place on the pro tour at the end of the 2021/22 season.
The 34-year-old was then forced to join his mum's cleaning business to make a living, often cleaning toilets to boost his income. But he made a huge statement at the Welsh Open in Llandudno last week, fighting back from 2-0 to beat former world champion Judd Trump before going out later that day to Shaun Murphy.
That's despite being savaged before the match by the iconic O'Sullivan, who told Eurosport : "He's never going to be a tournament winner. He's just not good enough. He should just stay as a part-time player, irrelevant of how well he does - the pressure is off him."
The seven-time world champion added if he got a main tour card he'd expect him to go "back to getting beaten and not enjoying it again." Wells only learnt of the comments after his famous 4-2 win and implied O'Sullivan had been irresponsible in light of greater awareness of mental health in sport.
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"It was quite upsetting to hear someone who's been one of my heroes saying those things about me," he told BBC Radio Wales Breakfast. "There's a lot of talk about mental health in sport and comments like these are really tough to take for people. I'm quite strong as a person and I'll deal with it but other people might not be as strong."
Ronnie O'Sullivan said the Welshman should stay as a 'part-time' player (VCG via Getty Images)Reflecting on his time out from the pro game, Wells also referenced his time spent scrubbing urinals: "Toilets were part of the job unfortunately," he admitted. "I wish I could have avoided them but I had to pay my bills and earn a living for my family. But snooker's always been my main focus."
Despite O'Sullivan's reservations, Wells is now well-placed to back on the tour for the 2023/24 campaign. Last month, he reached the semi-finals of the Shoot Out event, and Trump isn't is only high-profile scalp of late.
"My results have been good this season. I had a great win over Judd and I've beaten John Higgins," he said. "It's nice to get my life back on track and going through those experiences has just made me stronger, so I'm hopeful for the future."