RONNIE O’SULLIVAN has paid tribute to former World Nineball Pool champion Mika Immonen.
Immonen passed away at the age of 52 on Sunday after a long battle with cancer.
Ronnie O’Sullivan has paid tribute to the pool superstar[/caption]
Tributes poured in for the Iceman, who became a legend on the pool circuit.
O’Sullivan has now opened up about his bond with Immonen, who would stay at his house during his time in the UK.
The Rocket took to Instagram to say: “So sad to hear of the passing of my friend Mika, someone I did not see enough of but thought a great deal of.
“Stayed at my house on times in UK and enjoyed our runs in the forest, one of the greatest pool players of the generation, an honour to share a pool table with him but also the personal times together I will never forget.
“Sadly missed, devastated today.”
Immonen became the only Finnish star to win the World Nineball Championship in 2001.
He also won back-to-back US Open Pool Championship titles in 2008 and 2009.
The Iceman established himself as a pool icon with his appearances at the Mosconi Cup over the years.
He represented Team Europe on 15 occasions – the second-most of any European.
Immonen was named MVP for his performance in the 2008 competition.
