Reanne Evans admits she was surprised that Ronnie O'Sullivan was 'human and normal' when the pair linked up at the World Mixed Doubles.
The 12-time women's world champion has given an insight into the Rocket's tableside behaviour and says it was an 'honour' to play with him.
O'Sullivan played alongside Evans at the World Mixed Doubles last season, the first staging of the event in over 30 years.
They were unable to get past the round-robin stage, winning one and losing two of their matches in Milton Keynes.
Ronnie O'Sullivan surprised Reanne Evans when the pair played at the World Mixed Doubles
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Evans will be back at the tournament on Saturday but O'Sullivan won't be present and has been replaced by reigning world champion Luca Brecel.
Ahead of the event, Evans has reminisced over the time she spent playing alongside O'Sullivan in September 2022.
She admits she was not expecting the 48-year-old to be as down to earth as he was.
Evans told WST: "It is just an honour to be sat in the seat beside Ronnie.
"He is the best there has ever been and best there ever will be. It was just fascinating to see he is human and normal.
"We were having conversations, he was saying he didn’t know when to go for his shots depending on who he was following.
"Just all the things which I was thinking as well. I didn’t expect that.
"We play exhibitions together and I get on with him. To hear his thought processes and get some words of wisdom was really helpful. It is an honour to play with these players."
Defending champions Neil Robertson and Mink Nutcharut will be competing at the two-day doubles event this weekend.
They will be joined by Judd Trump and Baipat Siripaporn, and Mark Selby and Rebecca Kenna.
Evans says she is looking forward to playing with Brecel and hopes to perform better than she did with O'Sullivan.
She added: "Luca is so good to watch. He’s natural and goes on instinct. Luckily for me, he is coming into a bit of form.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan won't be participating at the World Mixed Doubles this weekend
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"He is just fantastic. I’ve known him for quite a few years from his junior days when we used to travel on the amateur scene.
"It is great to see how far he’s come and what he’s achieved. Hopefully, we can have some fun out there.
"Last year it was into the unknown and we didn’t know what to expect. This time we know the format and what to expect.
"There is still pressure on us to try and perform. This time I want to enjoy it a bit more and go with the flow. Basically, be a Luca!
Reanne Evans will be partnered by Luca Brecel at the World Mixed Doubles
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"This is probably the only player I could be paired with that I will maybe play more safety than. It is a great opportunity.
"You can think about tactics, but you have to think about your natural game and play it
"If you start considering whether or not you should go for things, the game is hard enough as it is.
"I just hope I can go out there and enjoy it. I feel good and confident in my game to go out there and hopefully lift that trophy at the end."
