Ronnie O'Sullivan: 'The geezer was a nightmare but it's no one's fault'

Snooker ace Ronnie O'Sullivan says folk are just fed up with lockdowns after revealing he was being accosted in a 'nightmare' incident by a fan in Sheffield

NIGHTMARE: Ronnie O'Sullivan during the World Championship win over Mark Joyce: "I was harassed like you wouldn't believe it. The geezer's come up to me, I was like: 'Please, I have to get through this tournament Covid-free. I beg you,' he revealed in relation to an incident earlier Saturday. Picture: George Wood, PA Wire

Ronnie O'Sullivan gave the returning Crucible fans a treat by firing three consecutive centuries to wrap up a first round win over Mark Joyce - but fears their overenthusiasm could wreck his bid for a seventh-world crown.

O'Sullivan revealed he was accosted on Saturday in a "nightmare" incident at a city centre restaurant, and will now cut back his appearances in public in order to minimise the risk of being forced to withdraw due to a positive test later in the tournament.