O'Sullivan: Snooker needs a boost

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The world number one claimed the sport is "on a downward spiral", aimed scathing criticism at its administrators, and insisted only someone with the business vision of X Factor supremo Simon Cowell or Barry Hearn could rescue it.

O'Sullivan, who fought back from the brink of defeat to beat fellow Englishman Joe Perry 6-5 in his opening match, said: "I feel like I'm in a sport that has had its good days and is on a really downward spiral. I think it needs someone like Barry Hearn or Simon Cowell with entrepreneurial skills, someone who's more up to date in the modern world, that's a bit more dynamic."

He added: "People who are running snooker, it just seems to be going backwards, nothing seems to be happening.

"It just feels boring going to tournaments. It was always exciting.

"The game is dying and unless something happens I ain't going to these tournaments for £30,000."