Ronnie O'Sullivan's coach Lee Walker opens up on sessions with him ahead of World Championship

Mark Williams’ coach, Lee Walker, has opened up about working with Ronnie O’Sullivan amid doubts over the snooker icon's presence at the World Championship.

Perfectionist O’Sullivan enlisted the help of Welshman Walker earlier this season amid struggles with his game. That relationship continues as fans await the Rocket’s Crucible call with bated breath.

The seven-time world champion’s appearances have been rare this season. His last competitive action came at the non-ranking Championship League in January, where he smashed his cue in anger and pulled out before his final group match.

He then withdrew from the Masters, where he had been due to defend the title, plus a host of other tournaments for medical reasons. He issued a public apology after his last-minute withdrawal from the Welsh Open in February. The 49-year-old is on the official entry list for the Crucible, but there are no guarantees he will take part.

“We’re still working together but he’s taking a bit of a break at the moment,” said Walker in mid-March in an interview for Reach’s World Championship preview publication, which is available to order HERE.

“We’ll just wait and see whether he comes back and plays at the World Championship. Hopefully, if he does play in the World Championship, he can feel a bit better and get back to doing what he does best, which is potting balls.”

While Walker, 49, has had just a handful of sessions with O’Sullivan so far, he described them as “first-class”.

“It’s different to Mark because we’re very good friends and have practised together for years. I know what I’m seeing there,” explained Walker, who coaches out of Wexa Sports in Crumlin.

“I’ve played Ronnie a couple of times but had not actually seen what he does close up,” he said. “I’ve had four or five sessions with him, and I enjoyed every one.

“He was first-class with me in every session we did. To see a player like that up close, everybody can learn different things from watching him.”

Williams had no issues with Walker linking up with one of his great rivals. “He told me to do it,” he said. “He basically said, ‘When a player like Ronnie asks you, there’s only one answer’.”

Walker insists it would be foolhardy to write O’Sullivan and fellow 'Class of 92' members Williams and John Higgins off. He added: “If he [O’Sullivan] never plays again or never wins another tournament, he’ll still go down as the greatest player who’s ever played the game. This is what separates the likes of Ronnie, Mark and John from most other players.

“John has just won again [at the World Open] after a few years of not winning. People said he’d never win another tournament but you can never write these guys off. They’re just incredible.

“I’m sure Ronnie will eventually want to get back to it. I think everyone, firstly, wants to see him feeling good and then getting back to what he does best.”