Graeme Souness reveals career-changing advice he gave Ronnie O'Sullivan in Las Vegas meeting 20 years ago

Graeme Souness has revealed he gave career-changing advice to snooker legend Ronnie O'Sullivan in Las Vegas.

O'Sullivan claimed a record-extending eighth Masters title last year and beat Judd Trump in the World Grand Prix final earlier this week.

'The Rocket' is showing no signs of slowing down as he continues to dominate the sport against younger competition.

He's received help along the way, with Liverpool legend Souness recalling an interaction with O'Sullivan in Las Vegas, where he told him to prioritise his fitness.

Speaking to talkSPORT, he said: "20 odd years ago I met him in Vegas and he was with a group of guys who were obviously there to look at the sights and enjoy themselves as much as they could.

"I’d gone out for dinner with my wife and come back in and the boys were just going out."

The legendary Scot added: "I sat and had a beer with Ronnie and I said to him, 'what you’ve got to do is get yourself really fit.

"The sport you’re in, standing on your legs for hours, when you get physically tired you’ll lose your concentration and if you get yourself fit, when the going gets tough you’ll be ahead of the game'.

"He actually gave me a credit in the book he wrote soon after that."

When Jim White joked that Souness was instrumental in O'Sullivan's incredible career, he replied: "Yeah, but it’s common sense, isn’t it?"

Ronnie O'Sullivan poses with the trophy after beating Judd Trump. Image: Getty

After beating Trump, O'Sullivan said he doesn't like eating junk food and paid tribute to his new fryer as he remains focused on his fitness as he approaches 50.

After his victory, the 48-year-old said: "I enjoyed that, I really did, I enjoyed the game.

"Start of the week I was feeling a bit rough, then I bought myself an air fryer and a smoothie maker. I started to feel a bit better and...I don't like eating junk food, it sort of puts me in a funny place.

"So I started to feel better as the week went on, I played some of my best snooker last night against Ding.

"That gave me some confidence coming into today, I knew I'd have to play well to at least do something well against Judd. I enjoyed the match. I thought it might be a 10-1 job."

Topics: Ronnie OSullivan, Graeme Souness, Snooker

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Anthony Joshua, Tyson Fury and Darren Till. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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