CHENNAI: Not many snooker players have been able to hold their own against the legendary Ronnie O’Sullivan on the baize, let alone talk to him about the game for close to an hour on a show that he runs.
But that is exactly what Aditya Mehta, India’s only professional snooker player, did last year. Appearing in O’Sullivan’s show, titled after him, the Englishman talked while the Mumbaikar listened. “It was a special moment to feature on The Ronnie O’Sullivan Show on Eurosport last year. I got to spend 45 minutes with him on the table chatting and getting a bit of insight into the mind of a genius,” the 54th ranked player, whose next destination is Wuxi, China, to take part in the World Cup, says.
He is in the middle of talking about the stars he is encountered and it’s a veritable who’s who of the sport. “I think about my journey and the experiences I’ve had as a professional. Yes, to play against the likes of Ronnie, Judd (Trump), (Mark) Selby on live TV and making the Maximum (break of 147) against (Stephen) Maguire...”
But you know for sure that he isn’t lost stargazing as he recounts the 147 – generally considered snooker’s holy grail – thus becoming the only Indian to do so in an official event outside India. “It came at the most unexpected time because I was suffering from a neck injury. I was in half a mind of pulling out of the match (against Stephen Maguire at the Paul Hunter Classic) because the pain was pretty bad. I knew it was on by the time I got to 40. The balls were perfect,” he elucidates.
The aggressive right-hander, who first started chalking his cue at the age of 12, reveals becoming a pro was a childhood dream. “It was always the goal. When you play a sport, you want to be the best and play against the best in the world. Of course, getting there was a different matter but that was always the number one goal as a kid.”
Breaking barriers seems to be a Mehta speciality as he became the first from the country to win gold at the World Games (Cali in 2013), an achievement he holds dear. “It’s a stepping stone to the Olympics. It’s another one of my greatest memories and achievements,” he says.
Having been in Sheffield for quite a while, Mehta wants to feature in the Crucible –professional snooker’s biggest event. “You can see the build up to the event well before it comes up. My favourite coffee shop was right outside the Crucible and I would go there all the time hoping that one day I’ll be here for another reason. The dream is still alive and I’m confident that one day I will experience the theatre of dreams,” he expands.
And given that he is a Manchester United fan, he hopes to go to the other Theatre of Dreams to soak in the atmosphere during a Champions League game. “(I was recently there for a Premier League game). I had a nine-hour return drive from London but it was worth every minute. Thankfully we won and I can’t wait to go back there soon, hopefully for a champions league match.”
Many snooker players have found it hard after becoming a pro but Mehta, whose infatuation with the number 147 has meant he has included it in some form in all his mail Ids since he first started creating them, is in it for the long haul.