Five-time world snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan has revealed that he has no intentions of being involved in the BBC's Sports Personality of the Year awards because he's not interested in winning "popularity contests".
Despite his success, the 38-year-old, who won his fifth world title last year following a 12-month break from snooker, has never been nominated for the award during his 22-year career.
In his latest Eurosport blog, O'Sullivan said: "Morrissey once said he didn't want any recognition from the Brit Awards for his talent as a musician. He said it would almost be like Laurence Olivier being pleased with a TV Times award. I feel the same way about being given meaningless little trophies from people who don't know me.
"I don't want any recognition really. I don't see the point of it. I'm not interested in winning popularity contests. Nobody should be. I've never been in the top 10 nominees for the BBC Sports Personality of the Year when I felt I should have been in the top 10. I feel that is a bit bizarre because if I can't get into the top 10 British sportsmen or women, then I must be doing something wrong.
"I mean, let's face it, we don't have a surplus of them. I've never been to the Sports Personality, and I have no desire to be part of that club. Or the clique who go to these things. I just don't really get it."
O'Sullivan also stated that he wouldn't be interested in picking up an MBE or OBE for services to snooker.
Danielle Joynson
