'You don't fall off radar overnight' – O'Sullivan reveals plans for eighth world title bid

Ronnie O’Sullivan has revealed how his record-equalling seventh world title triumph has given him hope of having at least another five years to win an eighth at the Crucible.

The 39-time ranking event winner defeated 2019 champion Judd Trump 18-13 in a historic 46th World Championship final last Monday to match Stephen Hendry’s haul from the 1990s.

O’Sullivan enjoyed a remarkable 15 centuries and 46 breaks over 50 to emulate his achievement of lifting the sport’s biggest tournament in 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013 and 2020 in Sheffield.

“It is such a long tournament. It is a bit like the Grand Slams in tennis when they play five sets rather than just the three.

“It is more about lasting the event more than anything. A lot of players reach the quarter-finals and by then they think they’ve run their course.

“Whereas the top players are better conditioned, have been over the course and know how to pace themselves.

“The World Championship is similar to that. You make the semi-finals and once you get to that point you are still only halfway through so you want to leave a bit in the tank.

“That just comes with experience and knowing what it takes to get over the line.”

When asked in the immediate aftermath of the final about matching Hendry’s 23-year record set in 1999, O’Sullivan smiled: “We can share it for a year.

“I tried to be as relaxed as I could, but that is probably the greatest result I’ve had against somebody like Judd.

“I’ve never bothered about records. When you get them, it’s kind of nice. I don’t have targets. I’ve loved every tournament this year, I’ve just loved playing.

“I like to win, but it’s not the be-all and end-all. The Crucible brings out the worst in me. It’s probably not the best idea but we’ll probably go again next year.”

Crucible World Snooker Champions

• Ronnie O’Sullivan (Eng) 7 – 2001, 2004, 2008, 2012, 2013, 2020, 2022
• Stephen Hendry (Sco) 7 – 1990, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1999
• Steve Davis (Eng) 6 – 1981, 1983, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1989
• Ray Reardon (Wal) 6 – 1970, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976, 1978
• Mark Selby (Eng) 4 – 2014, 2016, 2017, 2021
• John Higgins (Sco) 4 – 1998, 2007, 2009, 2011
• Mark Williams (Wal) 3 – 2000, 2003, 2018
• John Spencer (Eng) 3 – 1969, 1971, 1977
• Alex Higgins (NIre) 2 – 1972, 1982
• Judd Trump (Eng) 1 – 2019
• Stuart Bingham (Eng) 1 – 2015
• Neil Robertson (Aus) 1 – 2010
• Graeme Dott (Sco) 1 – 2005
• Peter Ebdon (Eng) 1 – 2002
• Ken Doherty (Ire) 1 – 1997
• John Parrott (Eng) 1 – 1991
• Joe Johnson (Eng) 1 – 1986
• Dennis Taylor (NIre) 1 – 1985
• Cliff Thorburn (Can) 1 – 1980
• Terry Griffiths (Wal) 1 – 1979

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