The Bond Between Player and Cue

In the world of elite sports, the relationship between an athlete and their equipment is paramount. For snooker players, this bond is particularly profound. Once a player finds what they consider the perfect cue, they aim to treasure it for as long as possible. A lifelong alliance is the dream scenario.

Ronnie O'Sullivan's Cue Dilemma

During the ongoing World Championship in Sheffield, Ronnie O'Sullivan, the game's most illustrious star, has been struggling with his cue. Despite a straightforward run to the semi-finals, O'Sullivan has labeled his cue "awful" and claimed it is causing "carnage" in his game. He is currently using temporary replacements from the workshop of world-renowned master cue craftsman John Parris.

John Parris: The Master Craftsman

John Parris, who has been producing top-of-the-line cues for over 40 years, understands the importance of a perfect cue. "He is not settled," Parris tells the BBC. "I'm not sure what cue he's coming out with every time he comes through the curtain. It could be a different one every day. He's not happy with it but he's managing. We'll get there - we'll get the perfect one in the end."

The Crafting Process

Creating a cue for a player like O'Sullivan is no small feat. Each cue takes almost a year to produce, costing up to £3,000, with customers facing an eight-year waiting list in some cases. Parris travels to timber yards across the country, searching for high-quality pieces of ash and maple. The wood is then cut, settled, rounded, spliced, planed, fitted with a brass tip and leather pad, sanded in nine different ways, oiled, and finally waxed.

The Pursuit of the Holy Grail

Parris and his team are currently in the nine-month process of crafting what they hope will be O'Sullivan's next long-term cue. "He doesn't change cues very often but he is always saying 'well make me another one just to see if it could be that little bit better'," Parris explains. "So we normally have one or two on the go somewhere in the background. As I'm going through shafts I'll think 'Ronnie might like this one' and I'll put it to one side for him."

The Final Push

As O'Sullivan continues his quest for another World Championship title, the search for the perfect cue remains a critical part of his journey. "It's like the holy grail, really," Parris says. "It's that pursuit. Hopefully we'll get there eventually."

Conclusion

The relationship between Ronnie O'Sullivan and John Parris highlights the intricate and often overlooked aspect of snooker: the importance of the perfect cue. As O'Sullivan navigates the pressures of the World Championship, the quest for the ideal cue continues, underscoring the dedication and craftsmanship that define the sport.