Ronnie O'Sullivan proved that he still has plenty left in the tank in York last night, defeating Ding Junhui in a thrilling UK Championship final.
By running out as a 10-7 winner, 'The Rocket' became the oldest winner in the competition's history. Remarkably, this comes 30 years after he was crowned the youngest champion in the events history back in 1993.
It was a top class match at times, one O'Sullivan looked like he would run away with during the early frames. However, his Chinese opponent produced a comeback in the first session to ensure that everything was still on the line heading into last night's deciding session.
Ronnie O'Sullivan would rediscover his form after play resumed in the evening and would go on to emerge as a deserving winner.
🅻🅴🅶🅴🅽🅳
Ronnie O'Sullivan seals his ground-breaking eighth UK Championship - and 40th ranking title - with a glorious century 💯
Each shot roared home by the crowd. Spine-tingling.#UKChampionship pic.twitter.com/QtMA52Kcun— Eurosport (@eurosport) December 3, 2023
It is the eighth time he has won the UK Championship.
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Ronnie O'Sullivan jokes about his status as world no. 1
While Ronnie O'Sullivan has joked on numerous occasions about his waining talents and sometimes lack of interest in professional snooker, there is no doubting that he still very much at the top of his game.
Not only did last night's final secure him the trophy in this event, but it also extended the gap he holds at the top of the world rankings. This is despite the fact that he plays in far fewer events than the majority of his peers.
Speaking to Eurosport after the final, he joked that it 'felt wrong' that he sat at the top of rankings despite having very little interest in them.
"I'm nicking all their glory!" 🤣
Ronnie O'Sullivan cracks up when Neal Foulds points out he's extended his lead as world No. 1 - despite not chasing ranking points.#UKChampionship | @Fouldsy147 pic.twitter.com/OLqwAknyty— Eurosport (@eurosport) December 3, 2023
It never bothered me about making tournaments, I never bothered about bonuses, I never bothered about getting in the things. I've always had my own schedule, I like the exhibitions that I do.
I keep busy, that's my own little thing that I do. I play when I want to play, I don't play when I feel like I need a rest.
When I was saying about ranking points, I was actually taking the micky because everyone seems to be chasing ranking points apart from me. I'm not one of them people, I just play when I want to play.
I don't chase rankings, money, trophies, stuff like that. I like to do what I want to do when I want to do it...
It's wrong really isn't it? I'm no. 1 when I'm not that bothered and everyone else is chasing it, it's terrible really.
I feel like it's so wrong, I'm nicking all their glory.
He may turn 48-years old this month, but Ronnie O'Sullivan remains the man to beat at the top level of snooker.
You get the sense that he will already be eyeing a record breaking eighth World Snooker title ahead of the return of that competition in April.
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