Enlarge image
Snooker champion Ronnie O'Sullivan
Photo: OLI SCARFF / AFP
Ronnie O'Sullivan is back on the snooker throne after a year's absence and has drawn level with the great Stephen Hendry on world titles.
The 46-year-old Englishman, nicknamed »The Rocket«, defeated his compatriot Judd Trump 18:13 on Monday evening and was crowned champion for the seventh time at the most important tournament in the world.
At the Crucible Theater in Sheffield, O'Sullivan left no doubt as to his dominance, and Monday night's fourth session didn't last very long.
The world champion collects 500,000 pounds (around 596,000 euros).
After 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2020, O'Sullivan, known for his polarizing demeanor, won a seventh time - the Scot Hendry managed this number of titles between 1990 and 1999. "It's a great honor for me, to share the number of World Cup trophies with him.
He's taken snooker to a whole new level,' said Hendry.
Adversary Trump was an extra in large phases of the final duel and could never really endanger »The Rocket«.
Genius at the table, provocateur next to it
For O'Sullivan, not only the final, but the entire 17-day tournament went perfectly.
Before the final he clearly defeated his eternal rival John Higgins from Scotland with 17:11.
The first three rounds against his compatriots David Gilbert (10:5) and Mark Allen (13:4) as well as the Scotsman Stephen Maguire (13:5) did not cause any problems for O'Sullivan, who is often described as a snooker genius.
O'Sullivan's career has been beset by addiction and depression.
In the gentleman's sport, "The Rocket" polarizes like no other, which was also evident in the finals.
In the first session on Sunday he had a fight with referee Olivier Marteel.
First he involved the referee in a loud discussion, later he said in a TV interview on Eurosport: "I think he's just looking for trouble." In snooker, such a statement is already considered an affront.
O'Sullivan should also taste the seventh World Cup crowning particularly well because it was suggested to him to say goodbye immediately before the tournament.
The Iranian World Cup debutant Hossein Vafaei had criticized the manners of the world-class player.
“A lot of what he says frustrates me.
What kind of legend are you calling people idiots?” said Vafaei.
It's time to tell O'Sullivan, "Retire, man.
Resign.” The Englishman hardly reacted to the content and seemed completely relaxed.
He presented the sporty answer in the Crucible Theater.
cev/dpa