'IT SPURRED ME ON'
Ronnie O’Sullivan called me a name after I beat him in UK Championship but we still get on, reveals snooker rival
Hawkins also spoke glowingly about O'Sullivan
BARRY HAWKINS has revealed his chance meeting with Ronnie O'Sullivan at the UK Championship.
Hawkins, 45, reached the final in York last week before losing to Judd Trump.
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In the first round he beat O'Sullivan 6-4 in a big upset at the Barbican.
He has now revealed he bumped into the seven-time world champion outside the gym during their match.
And Hawkins even admitted O'Sullivan called him a name he refuses to repeat.
Speaking to , he said: "I’ve struggled big time [against O'Sullivan]. My record speaks for itself. So that was a big moment for me and it spurred me on. It’s not as though he was playing badly!
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"I spoke to him later actually, I bumped into him as he was leaving the gym in York. He called me a name from across the road which I can’t really mention.
"I looked up and saw it was him and went over and we chatted about the game and stuff. He said: 'You’re playing well Baz, keep it going'."
O'Sullivan is one of the biggest characters in snooker, regularly speaking out on various issues and often causing controversy.
However, Hawkins had nothing but positive words for The Rocket.
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He added: "I’ve always got on alright with Ronnie. I’ve been to practice with him every now and again.
"Obviously he says things sometimes that people don’t agree with, but catch him on his own and he’s always been fine with me."
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Hawkins' loss to Trump means he is still waiting on his first Triple Crown title.
He reached the final of the World Championships in 2013 but lost 18-12 to O'Sullivan.
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