Ronnie O’Sullivan expressed astonishment at clinching his eighth UK Championship title, three decades after his initial victory at 17 in 1993.
Just shy of his 48th birthday, O’Sullivan, the world’s top-ranked player, overcame Ding Junhui 10-7 on Sunday, making history as the oldest UK champion.
This marked his 40th ranking title and 22nd in the Triple Crown series since his professional debut in 1992.
“I’ve evolved into a more well-rounded player,” O’Sullivan remarked.
“My game has significantly improved. I began with raw talent. After turning pro, I lost my way for a bit. It’s incredible to still compete and win at 48.”
O’Sullivan, a seven-time world champion, first made waves as the youngest winner of a ranking event, securing his inaugural UK title against Stephen Hendry.
His recent triumph surpassed Doug Mountjoy, making O’Sullivan the oldest UK title holder.
Mountjoy, at 46, experienced a career resurgence in 1988, winning his second UK title, also defeating Hendry.
Reflecting on his long career, O’Sullivan, holder of numerous snooker records, said: “Had you told me this 30 years ago, I would’ve thought you were mad.”
‘No Set Plans for Retirement’
O’Sullivan, often hailed as the best ever, entered the York Barbican amid a whirlwind of attention, coinciding with his documentary release and a dispute with the sport’s authorities, casting uncertainty over his future in professional snooker.
“I’m uncertain about how much longer I’ll play,” O’Sullivan stated, aiming for his eighth Masters title in January. “I prefer not to set a specific timeframe.
“As long as my sponsors back me and I maintain my tour status, I’ll continue. If I lose my tour spot, I hope for a World Snooker wildcard, but they might reject me as they often do.
“My focus is on playing and giving my best. They’ve asked me to reconsider my tour future, which baffles me.
“I’ll keep playing as long as I’m wanted. For now, I’m focused on playing my game and hoping for a sensible resolution.”
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ronnie O’Sullivan UK Championship 2023
How many times has Ronnie O’Sullivan won the UK Championship?
Ronnie O’Sullivan has won the UK Championship eight times, with his latest victory in 2023.
At what age did Ronnie O’Sullivan win his first UK Championship?
Ronnie O’Sullivan won his first UK Championship at the age of 17 in 1993.
Who did Ronnie O’Sullivan defeat to win the UK Championship in 2023?
Ronnie O’Sullivan defeated Ding Junhui in the 2023 UK Championship final.
What record did Ronnie O’Sullivan set with his 2023 UK Championship win?
With his win in 2023, Ronnie O’Sullivan became the oldest UK champion, just before turning 48.
What did Ronnie O’Sullivan say about his playing future?
Ronnie O’Sullivan expressed uncertainty about his future in professional snooker, mentioning he doesn’t want to put a number on how long he’ll continue playing.
More about Ronnie O’Sullivan UK Championship 2023
- Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Career Highlights
- UK Championship 2023 Results
- Interview with Ronnie O’Sullivan Post-Victory
- Overview of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Professional Achievements
- Analysis of the 2023 UK Championship Final Match
- Discussion on Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Impact on Snooker
- The Evolution of Ronnie O’Sullivan’s Playing Style
- Snooker Records and Milestones
- The Future of Snooker: Emerging Players and Legends
3 comments
O’Sullivan’s talent is just unmatched, but his comments about his future are bit worrying, hope he sticks around, snooker won’t be same without him.
Was there at the final, the atmosphere was electric! Ronnie’s still got it, but yea, the whole dispute with the governing body’s not good, hope it sorts out.
totally agree, Ronnie’s a genius on the table, his game’s just on another level, but the politics in snooker’s getting messier, sad to see.