Ronnie O’Sullivan becomes oldest UK snooker champion by beating China’s Ding Junhui

LONDON – Ronnie O’Sullivan became the oldest UK snooker champion as he secured a 10-7 victory over China’s Ding Junhui to claim a record-extending eighth title in York, England on Dec 3.

The career of seven-time world champion O’Sullivan, who turns 48 on Dec 5, has come full circle after he was the youngest player to win the UK Championship in 1993 at 17.

“Each tournament I win and play in, I take great pleasure from,” the Englishman, who is known as The Rocket, told the BBC. “There was a big crowd and I wanted to leave blood, sweat and tears on the table. I came out, gave it my all and I love competing.

“I always keep beating myself up because of the age thing. I keep thinking at some point you have to stop winning but I am doing all right and I will keep on going until the wheels fall off.”

Age has indeed been catching up on O’Sullivan.

In a separate interview with The Guardian, he commented that the victory lacked the “buzz” from some of his earlier triumphs and he even admitted that he struggled with motivation before the opening session.

“I’m not sitting here with a massive grin and super-excited,” he said.

“I just go through the motions a lot of the time. It’s great to win and I give my best when I’m out there, but it’s not the same excitement as years ago when I was winning my first world and UK and Masters titles and you’re buzzing.

“Don’t get me wrong, it’s still a nice feeling and a job well done, but I get more of a buzz from going for a run in the morning... I don’t actually feel like ever playing. Even in this match today, I was thinking I didn’t feel like it. I’d rather sit on my bed and watch a bit of Netflix. I feel like that a lot of the time.”

O’Sullivan’s triumph over Ding also saw the world’s top-ranked player add the 40th ranking title to his remarkable trophy collection.

He added that it was an honour to play Ding because “he’s such a classy player and such a classy guy”.

“I know there will have been so many people in China watching that final supporting Ding and supporting me as well. We’ve put on a good show,” he said.

Ding was also gracious in defeat. He said: “It was a very good week. I knew it was going to be very tough tonight.

“I missed a couple of shots to win frames in the first session. I tried to get more points and fight to win a frame then get another and see what happens. To be 4-4 was not too bad but he played better tonight.” REUTERS, XINHUA