Ronnie O’Sullivan, the decorated snooker player, seeks ultimate perfection. O’Sullivan, a fans’ favourite, is a flawed genius.
O’Sullivan cites Joe Davis as a major influence on his game. He learned about refining his cue action, and studying parallel and horizontal lines from Davis.
At the age of 50, O’Sullivan is set for a record-extending 34th straight appearance in the 50th World Snooker Championship at the Crucible Theatre from April 18-May 4 with a record-breaking eighth title in his sights.
O’Sullivan’s Early Career
O’Sullivan is from the class of ’92, coming through the ranks alongside Mark Williams and John Higgins. All three are multiple world champions. His upbringing was tough: his father, Ronnie Sr, served 18 years for murder in 1992 before his release in 2010, while his mother, Maria, also served a prison sentence for tax evasion in 1996.
O’Sullivan always knew he would take up the game professionally ever since he began playing at the age of seven. He made his first century break at the age of 10, won his first pro-am at 12, and claimed the World U21 Championship at 15. From there, it was clear he was destined for greatness and he turned professional at the age of 16.
In 1993, he became the youngest winner of the UK Championship aged just 17 years and 51 weeks. A year after winning the British Open, aged 19 years and 69 days, he became the youngest winner of the Masters when he defeated fellow teenager Higgins.
The Fastest 147 and World Titles
In 1997, O’Sullivan compiled the fastest 147 break on record in just five minutes and eight seconds during his World Championship victory over Mick Price in the first round. Nobody has come close to eclipsing it.
“It is still my favourite frame. It is the one I get asked about the most. To score a record maximum at the Crucible was an amazing thing and remains something very special,” said O’Sullivan, who has made 17 maximum breaks in his career, including a new record break of 153 at the World Open in March.
O’Sullivan landed his first world title when he beat Higgins 18-14 in 2001 and soon added his second with Ray Reardon acting as his coach and mentor in 2004.
During the mid-2000s and despite battling clinical depression, O’Sullivan continued to play the game he loves. He won the 2005 Masters – 10 years after capturing his first title at Wembley.
Compassion and Crucible Success
It took a little while before O’Sullivan was back on top, showing his compassionate side when he consoled teenager Ding Junhui when he won his first big tournament for 22 months at the 2007 Masters with a 10-3 drubbing.
In 2008 he captured his third Crucible crown by defeating Ali Carter 18-8 in the final.