Ronnie O’Sullivan surprised snooker fans by making a huge claim following his victory over Chris Wakelin in the semi-finals of the Saudi Arabia Masters on Friday (August 15).
O’Sullivan, 49, a seven-time world champion, put on an impressive display during his 6-3 victory over Wakelin, 33, and became the oldest player to make a 147 maximum – the highest break in snooker, where the player must play 36 shots in a row.
‘The Rocket’ pocketed a tidy £147,000 bonus for making two break maximums - and this was the first time O’Sullivan registered a competitive 147 since the 2018 English Open.
The Englishman is also only the second player to make two 147 breaks in a match after Jackson Page did the same back in April.
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The 49-year-old will face Neil Robertson during Saturday’s final.
After going head-to-head with O’Sullivan, the beaten Wakelin was quick to praise his opponent on social media.
Wakelin wrote on X: “That was special. What a player #GOAT.”
Meanwhile, Page also took to social media to congratulate O’Sullivan on achieving two 147s.
“At least I was the first to do it,” Page posted on X. “That didn’t last long lol. Fair play @Ronnieo147.”
After his victory, O’Sullivan described Wakelin as a “monster” and a “super player”, but it was his assessment of his own performance which has really got fans talking.
“I have never played that well, I think, in a match before," said O'Sullivan when speaking to WST.
Later in the interview, O’Sullivan was asked if comments about him being past his best can be “put to bed” by a journalist, to which he replied: “Not really, I tend to agree with them. I always said I’d be the first to let you know when I’m done and finished and gone… I’m not done, but I’m definitely on the downward curve.
“Just at my age playing with these youngsters… I’m never going to win like I used to.”
And fans were quick to give their thoughts on O’Sullivan’s comment.
One said: “I can't remember ever seeing Ronnie so relaxed in an interview. Honest responses. Didn't talk down his achievements. Seems in a good place.”
Another added: “Arguably the most gifted sportsman of all time.”
A third claimed: “This is just bloody crazy!!!!”
Topics: Ronnie OSullivan, Snooker
Luke Davies